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monaboyd Jan. 31st, 2006 11:55 pm)
dylan-dufresne.livejournal.com posting in monaboyd Jan. 31st, 2006 11:55 pm)Title: While You Were Sleeping
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: PG-ish
Summary: Dom makes a split second decision that will change the course of his life.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice. Thanks tofrojane for the beta. Kisses to you!
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality.
A/N: Warning of angst. Title blatantly stolen from the movie, but that’s about it. Thanks tofrikatilhi for the devil’s henchman. I told you I’d use it eventually.
A/N 2: So, January is over. I wrote this a while back and forgot to post it. Oops. I'll try to do better for February.
The hobbits and Orli are laughing and talking as they make their way across the street, their destination of the pub now within sight. Thanks to Orli losing a bet to Elijah earlier in the day, in a hilarious and spectacular display of lack of coordination, he gets to buy the first round of drinks for the group. Because of this fact, and that that filming is done for the week, they’re all in high spirits. Work is over, it’s time to play.
Hanging back a couple of steps, hands shoved in the front pockets of his low slung jeans, Dom watches his friends, silently trying to convince himself that he’s not surreptitiously checking out his best mate. No, not at all. It’s just a coincidence, that’s all. Besides, it’s not Billy’s fault that he’s walking just in front of Dom, his trousers hugging his perfect arse in a way that makes Dom’s imagination run wild. Caught up in yet another sexual fantasy, Dom looks up just in time to see a car barreling down the street towards them.
Without even thinking, Dom screams out a warning and shoves Billy out of the path of danger, sending the Scotsman crashing into the other hobbits. It’s only then that Dom realizes there’s one other person in danger of getting hit by the car. Before he can fully process what is about to happen, the sound of screeching tires fills the air, he feels a burning along his left side, the cool, damp ground beneath him, and then the world goes dark.
* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *
It feels like he’s under water, except that his limbs are heavy, like they’re made of lead instead of being light and buoyant. There seems to be a lot of activity swirling around him, but all the sounds are muffled, too loud or too quiet, only confusing Dom further. Concentrating hard and forcing his eyelids to crack open, Dom’s vision is filled with worried, warm green eyes and a furrowed brow. Billy.
Blinking several times, Dom focuses his attention on the soft, cupid’s bow of Billy’s upper lip, realizing that Billy is kneeling beside him on the ground, saying Dom’s name, over and over again as he smoothes back Dom’s mussed hair. Small fingers are holding Dom’s right hand, a calloused thumb sweeping gently across his palm.
Finally, the rest of his vision comes into focus, and Dom realizes that a crowd has formed. Orli is staring in stunned shock at the sight before him, glancing around like a wild animal who’s been trapped in a corner, while Sean has a mobile pressed to his ear, his other arm wrapped around Elijah’s shoulders to offer comfort. Dom can’t help but notice how Samwise he is in that moment, taking care of his Frodo.
Licking his dry, parched lips, Dom swallows hard, willing his voice to work.
“I’m alright,” he manages to say before clearing his throat.
“Dom?” Billy says, doing his best to hide the concern in his tone. “It’s okay. Sean’s already rung for an ambulance. It’ll be here soon. Just-”
Shifting, Dom reluctantly pulls his hand out of Billy’s and braces himself against the pavement as he slowly starts to sit up.
“Dom!” Billy cries out, laying a hand on his chest. “Stop! Don’t move.”
“I’m alright,” Dom insists, slowly pushing himself up, the jacket covering him falling into a puddle in his lap. It’s Billy’s jacket, Dom realizes, and it smells rather enticingly of his aftershave and something distinctly Billy.
Part of Dom would love nothing more than to snuggle under the jacket, and wrap himself up in the wonderful aroma. He loves the smell of Billy all around him, seeping into his skin. More than once Dom’s curled up with his pillow tight to his chest, because Billy had slept on it the night before, and his scent had lingered.
Despite Billy’s protests and requests that he not move, Dom slowly but surely manages to stand up, although it’s not without a few tight hisses and grimaces of pain. Refusing to let Dom try to rise alone, Billy carefully slips an arm around the younger man’s slender waist to help support him.
“Dom, I really think-”
“Billy, I’m fine,” Dom interrupts, waving off Billy’s concern. “Are you okay?”
“Me?” Billy asks in disbelief. “Are you taking the piss with me? I’m not the one who just got hit by a car, you crazy bastard.”
“But I pushed you. Shoved you, really.”
“Trust me, I’m fine,” Billy replies, shaking his head. “Now will you please sit down? I don’t think you should be moving around like this. Sit until the paramedics can look you over, at least.”
“It’s just some bumps and bruises, Billy,” Dom insists, slowly extending his left arm to test it and wrinkling his nose at the discomfort. “I’m a little sore, that’s all.”
“I still think you should take it easy.”
“I’m just glad you’re alright,” Dom says, laying his right hand on Billy’s shoulder. “Couldn’t let anything happen to my Pip. Merry always looks out for Pippin.”
“Dom-”
Opening his mouth, Dom starts to cut Billy off again, but a wave of dizziness washes over him and his knees buckle. Lurching forward, Dom sags a little in Billy’s embrace.
“Whoa. Hold on.”
“Dom!” Billy cries out in panic, both arms wrapping around the younger man as he sways unsteadily, blue-grey eyes glazed and unfocused.
Dom tries to answer, to tell Billy not to worry, but for some strange reason, his mouth won’t work. His head is suddenly hurting. And then the ground is rushing up to meet him.
* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *
Holding fast to Dom’s right hand, Billy flatly refuses to let go, even as Dom is loaded onto a gurney and lifted into the back of the ambulance. At the hospital, a nurse gently explains that the doctors need space to look Dom over, and that it’ll go faster if Billy is not underfoot. Reluctantly, Billy releases Dom’s limp hand, but takes one of Dom’s leather cuffs from his wrist, small fingers sliding deftly over the smooth black leather repeatedly, until the kind nurse returns, a man wearing a white lab coat at her side.
Sitting down across from group of men that has gathered, nearly the entire fellowship, waiting for news of Dom’s condition, the doctor reports some optimistic, but cautious news. It would seem that Dom hit his head when he was struck with a glancing blow by the car. Other than a concussion, a headache and some rather painful looking bruises, Dom appears to be alright. After a good night’s rest, under close observation at the hospital, it’s likely that Dom be just fine.
Likely, is the word the doctor keeps using. Nothing is for sure until Dom wakes up again. There is a chance that his brain could swell, and cause some complications. As the doctor finishes, Billy stands up and insists that he see Dom immediately. Exchanging a look with the doctor, the nurse then nods and leads Billy through a maze of corridors and lifts, until finally, they’re standing in a quiet room, the only sound the steady beeping from the machine monitoring Dom’s heart.
Looking at the rectangular plastic bags hanging from an IV stand, Billy follows the tubing snaking across the bed with his eyes, until it reaches the back of Dom’s hand. Without needing Billy to ask what the fluids are, the nurse gently explains that Dom has been sedated to minimize the stress on his body and ensure that he rests. Right now, it’s important that Dom remain calm. Sleep is the best thing for him, and to know that he’s safe. Nodding, Billy then walks over to Dom’s bedside, pulling a chair close so he can hold Dom’s free hand. He doesn’t notice when the nurse leaves the room, or when Sean and Elijah arrive. When Sean lays a hand on his shoulder, Billy looks up briefly, to tell them to go home and get some sleep. Quietly, gazing at Dom’s sleeping face, Billy informs the other hobbits that he’s staying with Dom tonight, to take care of him, like Dom had taken care of him, by pushing him to safety.
Several hours later, as the sedation begins to wear off, Dom becomes restless, shifting under the blanket tucked around him and muttering incoherently under his breath. Looking at the bruises blossoming over Dom’s soft, pale skin, it’s clear to Billy that the devil’s henchmen from the underworld have Dom firmly in their grip. Billy wishes there was something he could do to take away Dom’s pain, but unfortunately, he’s helpless. All he can do is be here, at Dom’s side. Breath catching as a jolt of pain shoots through his body, Dom tenses, his jaw clenching in an unsteady rhythm.
Taking Dom’s hand in both of his, Billy edges closer and begins murmuring softly as he strokes Dom’s smooth palm. When Dom seems to quiet slightly, Billy increases the pressure, the pads of his thumbs gently caressing. For a few minutes it seems that Dom is falling back to sleep, but then he starts mumbling, replaying the seconds leading up the the moment he was hit. The overwhelming fears of Billy getting hurt, tumble from Dom’s lips as he flinches and then winces at the discomfort the movement causes.
Overcome by the worry in Dom’s exhausted, pain-stricken voice, Billy heels off his shoes and very carefully stretches out on the hospital bed. Settling into the space on Dom’s right side, Billy snuggles close, one hand tenderly stroking Dom’s hair off his forehead, the fingers of his other hand lacing with Dom’s. Whispering soft words in Dom’s ear, Billy fervently hopes that the sound will help soothe Dom and lull him to sleep. Head rolled to one side to avoid the aching lump on the back of his skull, Dom shifts ever so slightly, moving further into Billy’s embrace, warm breath ghosting over Billy’s neck.
Feeling the tension in Dom’s slender body as his hand trembles uncontrollably, Billy presses a gentle kiss to Dom’s temple and then rubs his stubbly cheek against Dom’s hair. Sighing ever softly, Dom relaxes, his eyelashes fluttering against his cheeks before he finally quiets entirely. Safe and protected in Billy’s embrace, Dom surrenders, at last falling into a deep, restful sleep.
* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *
Dom awakens slowly, with one of Billy’s small hands resting against the small of his back, and a soft whistling flowing across his ear. He’s fallen asleep with Billy in the same bed enough times, after ingesting copious amounts of alcohol and too drunk to bother finding separate places to sleep, that Dom recognizes the sound as Billy’s version of snoring. There is great comfort in familiarity, much like Billy’s steady heartbeat under his hand. On more than a few occasions, Dom has pressed his ear to Billy’s chest while he was sleeping, just to feel the soothing rhythm.
As Dom takes in his surroundings, the events of last night begin to come back to him. It’s small flashes at first, the car bearing down on them, the frantic shove, burning pain, Billy looking down on him with such concern in his lovely green eyes, and then falling into darkness, Billy crying out his name. That must have been when he’d been taken to the hospital, Dom deduces, though he’s not quite sure how Billy ended up sharing his hospital bed.
Dom has no memory of how he got here, but he does remember insisting to Billy, repeatedly, that he was fine, right up until the moment he collapsed outside the pub. Shaking his head in disbelief at the utter ridiculousness of his actions, Dom suddenly whimpers, as he’s reminded in great detail, the aftereffects of getting sideswiped by a car.
Eyes snapping open, Billy inhales sharply when he realizes that sometime during the night, both he and Dom apparently moved, as Dom is now wrapped up in his arms. Dom’s cheek is pressed against his chest, and their legs are tangled up together, despite the blanket separating them. It is, without question, a rather intimate position to be discovered in, especially with your best mate.
“Careful, Dommie,” Billy cautions, his voice gravely with sleep. “Stay still.”
Pulling back a few inches, but taking care not to jostle Dom in any way, Billy looks down into Dom’s sleepy face and tries to smile a little.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” Dom replies with a yawn.
“Don’t make any sudden moves,” Billy requests softly, hand pressing ever so gently against Dom’s back to keep him from moving. “Last night you-”
“I remember,” Dom interrupts. “The car.”
“Yeah. The car.”
Unnerved at the intensity of Billy’s gaze, Dom glances down, finally noticing the rainbow of bruises that have developed along his left arm. Judging by how stiff and sore his hip and leg are, Dom’s willing to bet that they are quite similar in condition.
“How’s the pain?” Billy asks gently. “Do you want me to move my arm?”
“No, it’s okay,” Dom says. “I’m alright.”
“Where have I heard that before?” Billy retorts dryly, watching as Dom’s cheeks flame with heat.
“Sorry,” Dom says meekly, averting his eyes.
“It’s okay. Just don’t ever do that to me again,” Billy instructs firmly. “Ever.”
“It was instinct, Billy,” Dom replies, trying to explain. “I didn’t have time to think. I just did it.”
“Thank you, but next time get yourself out of the way, too,” Billy says fondly, kissing Dom’s forehead. “I can go the rest of my life without having to watch you get strapped to a gurney and loaded into the back of an ambulance.”
Billy breaks off, sucking in several harsh breaths in an effort to bring his emotions back under control.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” Dom whispers, realizing that Billy is quite upset.
“Well, you did,” Billy manages to reply and then clears his throat.
“Is that why you’re laying here with me?” Dom asks, finally pointing out their position, curled up on the hospital bed together. “Because I scared you?”
“That too.”
“What do you mean?” Dom asks, his brow furrowing.
“You were pretty restless last night,” Billy explains, smoothing Dom’s mussed hair off his forehead. “The doctors wanted you to stay calm, but you were in pain, and you had trouble staying asleep. You sort of woke up once and were talking about the accident.”
Suddenly, Dom wonders if he’d revealed what he’d been doing right before the car caught his attention. Did he tell Billy that he’d been admiring the view and fantasizing about his best mate’s arse? Did he admit that he’s been longing to be more to Billy? Much, much more.
“What’s wrong?” Billy asks when Dom tenses in his arms. “Are you okay? Do you want me to ring the nurse to get you something for the pain?”
“No,” Dom replies quickly. “It’s not too bad, as long as I don’t move too much.”
“So last night, I was holding your hand,” Billy says, resuming his story, rubbing Dom’s lower back in small, gentle circles. “And you started to relax a little, settle down. I thought you might like to have someone familiar beside you, since you were in a strange place, and hurting so much.”
“And you decided to crawl into bed beside me,” Dom muses. “To take care of me.”
“Yes, I did.”
Realizing that he’d spoken aloud, Dom blushes. Billy is being so kind to him, and having him close feels wonderful, even though his body is aching in places that he didn’t know existed. At the same time, it’s difficult for Dom to be this physically near to Billy, and still manage to hide his true feelings for his best mate.
“Well, thank you,” Dom says finally, pulling himself together. “It was very nice of you.”
“I was taking care of my Merry as best I can,” Billy replies with a soft smile. “Pippin can’t be without his Merry, now can he?”
Unable to stop himself from smiling, Dom gazes into Billy’s eyes for a long moment before suddenly withdrawing, suppressing a grimace of pain as their bodies part.
“Any idea when I’ll be able to get out of here?” Dom asks, glancing around the room, so he doesn’t have to meet Billy’s eyes. “And where are my clothes?”
“Dom?”
“What?” he replies, trying to see what’s going on in the corridor.
“Dom.”
Looking up, Dom starts to ask the question again, but then he can’t, because Billy’s mouth is covering his.
The kiss is aching soft and gentle, Dom barely feeling the pressure of Billy’s lips on his, and then, ever so carefully, almost tentatively, Billy finally deepens the kiss. Pointy tip of his warm, wet tongue sliding along the sensuous, pouty curve of Dom’s lower lip, Billy sighs happily when Dom whimpers beneath him, and a hand clutches at Billy’s wrinkled shirt to keep him close.
Pulling back for just a fraction of a second, Billy tilts his head in a new angle and snuggles in to capture Dom’s mouth in a second kiss. When Dom’s sweet lips part in welcome invitation, Billy eagerly slides his tongue inside, tasting the warm, honeyed cavern and exploring the dark recesses of Dom’s mouth. They feast on one another gently, yet hungrily, unable to get enough of each others touch.
“Billy,” Dom pants against his already swollen lips. “Oh God, Billy.”
Fingertips dancing over Dom’s stubbly jaw line, Billy cradles Dom in his arms as they continue to kiss, taking special care to make sure that nothing touches the angry bump on the back of his head and cause Dom pain. Noses rub together affectionately when they are forced to part for much needed breath, only to come back together as quickly as possible.
“Are you alright?” Billy asks breathlessly, pulling back so their eyes can meet. “Dommie?”
“When did this happen?” Dom whispers, gazing up at Billy in heartbreakingly innocent wonder, a fingertip stroking the tiny scar below Billy’s lower lip.
Cupping Dom’s stubbly cheek, Billy brushes a feathery kiss over his lips and then smiles gently. “I think it started a long time ago, but I think you could also say, it was while you were sleeping.”
* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *
fin
Author:
dylan_dufresne Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: PG-ish
Summary: Dom makes a split second decision that will change the course of his life.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice. Thanks to
frojane for the beta. Kisses to you!Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality.
A/N: Warning of angst. Title blatantly stolen from the movie, but that’s about it. Thanks to
frikatilhi for the devil’s henchman. I told you I’d use it eventually.A/N 2: So, January is over. I wrote this a while back and forgot to post it. Oops. I'll try to do better for February.
The hobbits and Orli are laughing and talking as they make their way across the street, their destination of the pub now within sight. Thanks to Orli losing a bet to Elijah earlier in the day, in a hilarious and spectacular display of lack of coordination, he gets to buy the first round of drinks for the group. Because of this fact, and that that filming is done for the week, they’re all in high spirits. Work is over, it’s time to play.
Hanging back a couple of steps, hands shoved in the front pockets of his low slung jeans, Dom watches his friends, silently trying to convince himself that he’s not surreptitiously checking out his best mate. No, not at all. It’s just a coincidence, that’s all. Besides, it’s not Billy’s fault that he’s walking just in front of Dom, his trousers hugging his perfect arse in a way that makes Dom’s imagination run wild. Caught up in yet another sexual fantasy, Dom looks up just in time to see a car barreling down the street towards them.
Without even thinking, Dom screams out a warning and shoves Billy out of the path of danger, sending the Scotsman crashing into the other hobbits. It’s only then that Dom realizes there’s one other person in danger of getting hit by the car. Before he can fully process what is about to happen, the sound of screeching tires fills the air, he feels a burning along his left side, the cool, damp ground beneath him, and then the world goes dark.
It feels like he’s under water, except that his limbs are heavy, like they’re made of lead instead of being light and buoyant. There seems to be a lot of activity swirling around him, but all the sounds are muffled, too loud or too quiet, only confusing Dom further. Concentrating hard and forcing his eyelids to crack open, Dom’s vision is filled with worried, warm green eyes and a furrowed brow. Billy.
Blinking several times, Dom focuses his attention on the soft, cupid’s bow of Billy’s upper lip, realizing that Billy is kneeling beside him on the ground, saying Dom’s name, over and over again as he smoothes back Dom’s mussed hair. Small fingers are holding Dom’s right hand, a calloused thumb sweeping gently across his palm.
Finally, the rest of his vision comes into focus, and Dom realizes that a crowd has formed. Orli is staring in stunned shock at the sight before him, glancing around like a wild animal who’s been trapped in a corner, while Sean has a mobile pressed to his ear, his other arm wrapped around Elijah’s shoulders to offer comfort. Dom can’t help but notice how Samwise he is in that moment, taking care of his Frodo.
Licking his dry, parched lips, Dom swallows hard, willing his voice to work.
“I’m alright,” he manages to say before clearing his throat.
“Dom?” Billy says, doing his best to hide the concern in his tone. “It’s okay. Sean’s already rung for an ambulance. It’ll be here soon. Just-”
Shifting, Dom reluctantly pulls his hand out of Billy’s and braces himself against the pavement as he slowly starts to sit up.
“Dom!” Billy cries out, laying a hand on his chest. “Stop! Don’t move.”
“I’m alright,” Dom insists, slowly pushing himself up, the jacket covering him falling into a puddle in his lap. It’s Billy’s jacket, Dom realizes, and it smells rather enticingly of his aftershave and something distinctly Billy.
Part of Dom would love nothing more than to snuggle under the jacket, and wrap himself up in the wonderful aroma. He loves the smell of Billy all around him, seeping into his skin. More than once Dom’s curled up with his pillow tight to his chest, because Billy had slept on it the night before, and his scent had lingered.
Despite Billy’s protests and requests that he not move, Dom slowly but surely manages to stand up, although it’s not without a few tight hisses and grimaces of pain. Refusing to let Dom try to rise alone, Billy carefully slips an arm around the younger man’s slender waist to help support him.
“Dom, I really think-”
“Billy, I’m fine,” Dom interrupts, waving off Billy’s concern. “Are you okay?”
“Me?” Billy asks in disbelief. “Are you taking the piss with me? I’m not the one who just got hit by a car, you crazy bastard.”
“But I pushed you. Shoved you, really.”
“Trust me, I’m fine,” Billy replies, shaking his head. “Now will you please sit down? I don’t think you should be moving around like this. Sit until the paramedics can look you over, at least.”
“It’s just some bumps and bruises, Billy,” Dom insists, slowly extending his left arm to test it and wrinkling his nose at the discomfort. “I’m a little sore, that’s all.”
“I still think you should take it easy.”
“I’m just glad you’re alright,” Dom says, laying his right hand on Billy’s shoulder. “Couldn’t let anything happen to my Pip. Merry always looks out for Pippin.”
“Dom-”
Opening his mouth, Dom starts to cut Billy off again, but a wave of dizziness washes over him and his knees buckle. Lurching forward, Dom sags a little in Billy’s embrace.
“Whoa. Hold on.”
“Dom!” Billy cries out in panic, both arms wrapping around the younger man as he sways unsteadily, blue-grey eyes glazed and unfocused.
Dom tries to answer, to tell Billy not to worry, but for some strange reason, his mouth won’t work. His head is suddenly hurting. And then the ground is rushing up to meet him.
Holding fast to Dom’s right hand, Billy flatly refuses to let go, even as Dom is loaded onto a gurney and lifted into the back of the ambulance. At the hospital, a nurse gently explains that the doctors need space to look Dom over, and that it’ll go faster if Billy is not underfoot. Reluctantly, Billy releases Dom’s limp hand, but takes one of Dom’s leather cuffs from his wrist, small fingers sliding deftly over the smooth black leather repeatedly, until the kind nurse returns, a man wearing a white lab coat at her side.
Sitting down across from group of men that has gathered, nearly the entire fellowship, waiting for news of Dom’s condition, the doctor reports some optimistic, but cautious news. It would seem that Dom hit his head when he was struck with a glancing blow by the car. Other than a concussion, a headache and some rather painful looking bruises, Dom appears to be alright. After a good night’s rest, under close observation at the hospital, it’s likely that Dom be just fine.
Likely, is the word the doctor keeps using. Nothing is for sure until Dom wakes up again. There is a chance that his brain could swell, and cause some complications. As the doctor finishes, Billy stands up and insists that he see Dom immediately. Exchanging a look with the doctor, the nurse then nods and leads Billy through a maze of corridors and lifts, until finally, they’re standing in a quiet room, the only sound the steady beeping from the machine monitoring Dom’s heart.
Looking at the rectangular plastic bags hanging from an IV stand, Billy follows the tubing snaking across the bed with his eyes, until it reaches the back of Dom’s hand. Without needing Billy to ask what the fluids are, the nurse gently explains that Dom has been sedated to minimize the stress on his body and ensure that he rests. Right now, it’s important that Dom remain calm. Sleep is the best thing for him, and to know that he’s safe. Nodding, Billy then walks over to Dom’s bedside, pulling a chair close so he can hold Dom’s free hand. He doesn’t notice when the nurse leaves the room, or when Sean and Elijah arrive. When Sean lays a hand on his shoulder, Billy looks up briefly, to tell them to go home and get some sleep. Quietly, gazing at Dom’s sleeping face, Billy informs the other hobbits that he’s staying with Dom tonight, to take care of him, like Dom had taken care of him, by pushing him to safety.
Several hours later, as the sedation begins to wear off, Dom becomes restless, shifting under the blanket tucked around him and muttering incoherently under his breath. Looking at the bruises blossoming over Dom’s soft, pale skin, it’s clear to Billy that the devil’s henchmen from the underworld have Dom firmly in their grip. Billy wishes there was something he could do to take away Dom’s pain, but unfortunately, he’s helpless. All he can do is be here, at Dom’s side. Breath catching as a jolt of pain shoots through his body, Dom tenses, his jaw clenching in an unsteady rhythm.
Taking Dom’s hand in both of his, Billy edges closer and begins murmuring softly as he strokes Dom’s smooth palm. When Dom seems to quiet slightly, Billy increases the pressure, the pads of his thumbs gently caressing. For a few minutes it seems that Dom is falling back to sleep, but then he starts mumbling, replaying the seconds leading up the the moment he was hit. The overwhelming fears of Billy getting hurt, tumble from Dom’s lips as he flinches and then winces at the discomfort the movement causes.
Overcome by the worry in Dom’s exhausted, pain-stricken voice, Billy heels off his shoes and very carefully stretches out on the hospital bed. Settling into the space on Dom’s right side, Billy snuggles close, one hand tenderly stroking Dom’s hair off his forehead, the fingers of his other hand lacing with Dom’s. Whispering soft words in Dom’s ear, Billy fervently hopes that the sound will help soothe Dom and lull him to sleep. Head rolled to one side to avoid the aching lump on the back of his skull, Dom shifts ever so slightly, moving further into Billy’s embrace, warm breath ghosting over Billy’s neck.
Feeling the tension in Dom’s slender body as his hand trembles uncontrollably, Billy presses a gentle kiss to Dom’s temple and then rubs his stubbly cheek against Dom’s hair. Sighing ever softly, Dom relaxes, his eyelashes fluttering against his cheeks before he finally quiets entirely. Safe and protected in Billy’s embrace, Dom surrenders, at last falling into a deep, restful sleep.
Dom awakens slowly, with one of Billy’s small hands resting against the small of his back, and a soft whistling flowing across his ear. He’s fallen asleep with Billy in the same bed enough times, after ingesting copious amounts of alcohol and too drunk to bother finding separate places to sleep, that Dom recognizes the sound as Billy’s version of snoring. There is great comfort in familiarity, much like Billy’s steady heartbeat under his hand. On more than a few occasions, Dom has pressed his ear to Billy’s chest while he was sleeping, just to feel the soothing rhythm.
As Dom takes in his surroundings, the events of last night begin to come back to him. It’s small flashes at first, the car bearing down on them, the frantic shove, burning pain, Billy looking down on him with such concern in his lovely green eyes, and then falling into darkness, Billy crying out his name. That must have been when he’d been taken to the hospital, Dom deduces, though he’s not quite sure how Billy ended up sharing his hospital bed.
Dom has no memory of how he got here, but he does remember insisting to Billy, repeatedly, that he was fine, right up until the moment he collapsed outside the pub. Shaking his head in disbelief at the utter ridiculousness of his actions, Dom suddenly whimpers, as he’s reminded in great detail, the aftereffects of getting sideswiped by a car.
Eyes snapping open, Billy inhales sharply when he realizes that sometime during the night, both he and Dom apparently moved, as Dom is now wrapped up in his arms. Dom’s cheek is pressed against his chest, and their legs are tangled up together, despite the blanket separating them. It is, without question, a rather intimate position to be discovered in, especially with your best mate.
“Careful, Dommie,” Billy cautions, his voice gravely with sleep. “Stay still.”
Pulling back a few inches, but taking care not to jostle Dom in any way, Billy looks down into Dom’s sleepy face and tries to smile a little.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” Dom replies with a yawn.
“Don’t make any sudden moves,” Billy requests softly, hand pressing ever so gently against Dom’s back to keep him from moving. “Last night you-”
“I remember,” Dom interrupts. “The car.”
“Yeah. The car.”
Unnerved at the intensity of Billy’s gaze, Dom glances down, finally noticing the rainbow of bruises that have developed along his left arm. Judging by how stiff and sore his hip and leg are, Dom’s willing to bet that they are quite similar in condition.
“How’s the pain?” Billy asks gently. “Do you want me to move my arm?”
“No, it’s okay,” Dom says. “I’m alright.”
“Where have I heard that before?” Billy retorts dryly, watching as Dom’s cheeks flame with heat.
“Sorry,” Dom says meekly, averting his eyes.
“It’s okay. Just don’t ever do that to me again,” Billy instructs firmly. “Ever.”
“It was instinct, Billy,” Dom replies, trying to explain. “I didn’t have time to think. I just did it.”
“Thank you, but next time get yourself out of the way, too,” Billy says fondly, kissing Dom’s forehead. “I can go the rest of my life without having to watch you get strapped to a gurney and loaded into the back of an ambulance.”
Billy breaks off, sucking in several harsh breaths in an effort to bring his emotions back under control.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” Dom whispers, realizing that Billy is quite upset.
“Well, you did,” Billy manages to reply and then clears his throat.
“Is that why you’re laying here with me?” Dom asks, finally pointing out their position, curled up on the hospital bed together. “Because I scared you?”
“That too.”
“What do you mean?” Dom asks, his brow furrowing.
“You were pretty restless last night,” Billy explains, smoothing Dom’s mussed hair off his forehead. “The doctors wanted you to stay calm, but you were in pain, and you had trouble staying asleep. You sort of woke up once and were talking about the accident.”
Suddenly, Dom wonders if he’d revealed what he’d been doing right before the car caught his attention. Did he tell Billy that he’d been admiring the view and fantasizing about his best mate’s arse? Did he admit that he’s been longing to be more to Billy? Much, much more.
“What’s wrong?” Billy asks when Dom tenses in his arms. “Are you okay? Do you want me to ring the nurse to get you something for the pain?”
“No,” Dom replies quickly. “It’s not too bad, as long as I don’t move too much.”
“So last night, I was holding your hand,” Billy says, resuming his story, rubbing Dom’s lower back in small, gentle circles. “And you started to relax a little, settle down. I thought you might like to have someone familiar beside you, since you were in a strange place, and hurting so much.”
“And you decided to crawl into bed beside me,” Dom muses. “To take care of me.”
“Yes, I did.”
Realizing that he’d spoken aloud, Dom blushes. Billy is being so kind to him, and having him close feels wonderful, even though his body is aching in places that he didn’t know existed. At the same time, it’s difficult for Dom to be this physically near to Billy, and still manage to hide his true feelings for his best mate.
“Well, thank you,” Dom says finally, pulling himself together. “It was very nice of you.”
“I was taking care of my Merry as best I can,” Billy replies with a soft smile. “Pippin can’t be without his Merry, now can he?”
Unable to stop himself from smiling, Dom gazes into Billy’s eyes for a long moment before suddenly withdrawing, suppressing a grimace of pain as their bodies part.
“Any idea when I’ll be able to get out of here?” Dom asks, glancing around the room, so he doesn’t have to meet Billy’s eyes. “And where are my clothes?”
“Dom?”
“What?” he replies, trying to see what’s going on in the corridor.
“Dom.”
Looking up, Dom starts to ask the question again, but then he can’t, because Billy’s mouth is covering his.
The kiss is aching soft and gentle, Dom barely feeling the pressure of Billy’s lips on his, and then, ever so carefully, almost tentatively, Billy finally deepens the kiss. Pointy tip of his warm, wet tongue sliding along the sensuous, pouty curve of Dom’s lower lip, Billy sighs happily when Dom whimpers beneath him, and a hand clutches at Billy’s wrinkled shirt to keep him close.
Pulling back for just a fraction of a second, Billy tilts his head in a new angle and snuggles in to capture Dom’s mouth in a second kiss. When Dom’s sweet lips part in welcome invitation, Billy eagerly slides his tongue inside, tasting the warm, honeyed cavern and exploring the dark recesses of Dom’s mouth. They feast on one another gently, yet hungrily, unable to get enough of each others touch.
“Billy,” Dom pants against his already swollen lips. “Oh God, Billy.”
Fingertips dancing over Dom’s stubbly jaw line, Billy cradles Dom in his arms as they continue to kiss, taking special care to make sure that nothing touches the angry bump on the back of his head and cause Dom pain. Noses rub together affectionately when they are forced to part for much needed breath, only to come back together as quickly as possible.
“Are you alright?” Billy asks breathlessly, pulling back so their eyes can meet. “Dommie?”
“When did this happen?” Dom whispers, gazing up at Billy in heartbreakingly innocent wonder, a fingertip stroking the tiny scar below Billy’s lower lip.
Cupping Dom’s stubbly cheek, Billy brushes a feathery kiss over his lips and then smiles gently. “I think it started a long time ago, but I think you could also say, it was while you were sleeping.”
fin
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While you were sleeping *more swooning*
*dies from swooning*
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But please don't die. :(
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Tickled pink that you enjoyed.
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Heh, I was so caught up in the utter loveliness that was this fic that those two lines very nearly made me snort coffee up my nose. Cold-ish coffee, but still. This was such an endearing little story -- I love how the love & friendship is so entwined.
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Pssst! Like my new icon?
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And I do like it. Billy's such a cutie.
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awwwwww
[faints]
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Of course I loved the Fellowship references, and Billys last sentence made me smile :)
That was a beautiful "tuck me in", hon ♥
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I'm quite fond of that line myself.
I hope you slept well, honey. *snuggles you*
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Boy, I was craving some happy- ending whomping-type angst between the Guys and tonight is a blessing to me! *happy dancing*
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Why thank you. So happy that you enjoyed. :)
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I love the innocence of Dom in this, and Billy being a protector is always great. Awh, they are just so made for each other... *g*
I loved this, it was a great little fluffy/angsty mix that was just great.
Oh, I just remembered, Billy holding his hand, and then keeping his leather cuff???? awwwwwwwww. I loved that.
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The fact that Billy holds his hand and keeps his cuff? I couldn't resist. Poor Dommie needed to be comforted, and I'd want to keep a part of Dom close to me, too.
Thank you!
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If one could buy Dominics, I'd have one for every day of the week. Hee.