FIC: Western Lovers: Cowboys and Archaeologists 27/33

[sassywitch.livejournal.com]

Title: Western Lovers: Cowboys and Archaeologists 27/33
Author: sassywitch
Pairing: BB/DM with a smattering of VM/LT and DW/OB
Rating: NC-17, to be on the safe side.
Summary: Can one man break two? He just might be able to.
Feedback: Feedback is my writers crack, which is not to be confused at all with plumbers crack.
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. These men whilst adorable and perfectly happy to slash themselves, their actual relationship is something that they only know. This story is adapted from a series of books that I adored when I was younger written by Elizabeth Lowell.
Word Count: 7402
Header Art: Courtesy of the incredibly talented loki_girl
Previous Chapters: can be found Here
A/N: A huge thank you to dylan_dufresne for the inspiration, the prodding and the beta. She really deserves far more credit than just beta. This fic wouldn't be what it is without her labour of love. My grammar sucks really, really badly so she had to suffer it so nobody else would. Next Chapter on Monday. I'm back, hopefully you all survived without me for the week. Back to our regular schedule. Next chapter will be posted on Wednesday. I'm an hour early, courtesy of the fact I'm skulking off to bed. hope you enjoy.
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Resting his head back against the pillow, Dom watched the faint pink rays of sunrise begin to shimmer against the edges of the horizon. With Billy's head nestled in the curve of his neck and strong arm wrapped around Dom's chest, their legs entwined, Dom's fingers carded absently through Billy's hair as he struggled not to give in to the emotions choking him.

Billy had fought against the sleep that had claimed him only minutes earlier, but Dom refused to miss a moment, because to close his eyes now would end the night. Their last night. Eyes wet with tears, Dom let them follow Billy's body as it wrapped around him, cataloguing what had to be a lifetime of his Billy, in what were becoming their final hours. If only tonight would never end.

Desperate to make the night last forever, Dom rolled them carefully until Billy lay on his back, his head supported by the soft pillows as Dom's fingers traced his face gently. Eyes following the movement of his fingers across Billy's skin, Dom was unaware of the occasional tear releasing its hold on his lashes, splashing on Billy's scruffy cheek and trickling into the sparse beard.

"Dommie," Billy murmured without opening his eyes, his voice thick with emotion and lethargy. "You need to sleep. How will you drive?"

"I'll cope," Dom whispered in reply. "I don't want to waste my last night with you."

"Dommie-" Billy started to speak, then trailed off. "Don't do this Honey, please?" he murmured, the pain in his own voice as tangible as the pain in Dom's eyes.

"Not doin' anything, Billy." Dom spoke softly, sliding down to press his lips against Billy's furry chest, his teeth catching the hair and tugging gently. "I'm making memories, that's all."

"Dom, please," Billy almost pleaded, his eyes squeezed tightly closed. "Don't."

"You won't let us have forever, Billy." Dom shrugged, his tongue trailing around one of Billy's pert nipples. "At least let me have a little bit more now."

"Dommie." Billy moaned, his head turning on the pillow as he opened his eyes slowly, watching the indigo sky pinkening at its edges, their time together reducing slowly to minutes. "It won't work, Dommie. You have to leave today. We both know it." His fingers tangled in Dom's mussed hair.

"I could stay one more day. We can do that." Dom looked up to search Billy's face. "Why won't you look at me, Billy?"

"You can't, Dom." Billy sighed. "You have classes to give on Monday. I have work to do here. It'll only delay what we know is coming."

"So I won't have as much prep time," Dom murmured, his hand cupping Billy's chin and turning his head, watching as Billy's eyes fell closed again. "Look at me, Billy."

"I can't, Honey." Billy shook his head.

"It's simple, Bill," Dom whispered moving to straddle Billy. "Open your eyes, I'm right here in front of you." He paused, waiting for Billy's eyes to open. "Why won't you look, Billy? I swear I won't fall to pieces. At least not while you're looking."

"That's not it." Billy shook his head, opening tear-glazed eyes slowly. "I know you think I'm a bastard for sending you away, but this hurts me as much….more than it hurts you."

"Then don't," Dom suggested quickly.

"Don't, Dom." Billy shook his head, looking away. "We've had this discussion already and I don't want to fight with you. Not when we have so little time left."

"Then look at me, Billy," Dom whispered against his lips. "Give me the memories I need to live on for the rest of my life. Tell me you love me. Show me you love me. Look at me and make love with me."

"I'm not strong enough to let you go if I lose myself in your eyes, Honey."

"Then I'll make it easy for you." Dom leaned over and retrieved a soft satin scarf from around the bedrails. "You don't need to look," Dom murmured as he fastened the silken blue fabric around Billy's head.

"Dommie?" Billy inquired as his fingers plucked at the cloth and then pulled it off. "Please, Honey, don't do this, not like this."

"You don't want to see me," Dom said as he shrugged. "I'm just making it easy for you."

"You don't understand, Dom." Billy pulled the younger man down into a tight embrace. "Every minute more makes this harder. Every single touch. Every word. Every thought. It's not just seeing you. It's knowing you. It's loving you. Sending you away cuts to my core, Honey, but I have to do it." Looking up into Dom's eyes, Billy's hands held Dom's face gently. "And if it's what you need, I won't steal a second of it from you by not looking."

Dom leaned in to press a kiss to Billy's lips, then nestled his face into Billy's shoulder, his hands trailing up and down Billy's bare sides.

"I'm sorry, Billy. I don't want to hurt you any more than you want to hurt me," Dom murmured. "Go back to sleep, Billy. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, Dom." Billy replied. "Ever. I'm the one that should be sorry."

"No." Dom lifted his head and looked deeply into Billy's sad green eyes. "Don't. You taught me how to love, you taught me what love is, physically and spiritually. You gave me, me. You're the most important person to ever come into my life, Billy, and I will always love you…" He broke off as Billy's fingers touched his lips.

"Shh," Billy murmured. "I want you to sleep, Honey, just for a little while, so I don't have to worry about you falling asleep at the wheel. Then when you wake…." He paused. "We'll make love one last time."

"Don't you understand? That's why I can't sleep." Dom rolled away, lying on his back, looking at the roof. "Every time you say that…." He breathed deeply, composing himself before he spoke again. "Dammit Billy. Every time you say that, you're not here when I wake up. If I sleep, it's all over. I don't…can't let us end. Not yet."

"I'll be here, Dom." Billy closed his eyes. "All the willpower in the world couldn't drag me away from you this morning."

"I know you don't mean to fuck with my mind, Billy, but you do. I understand why, I just…." Dom trailed off, rolling back against Billy and wrapping his arm around his waist tightly. "Please be here when I wake up," he murmured as he closed his eyes.

"I will be, Honey," Billy crooned softly, his fingers caressing along Dom's bare spine as he felt Dom surrender into restless sleep. "I will be."

Billy held Dom tightly in his arms until he was sure the younger man was asleep. Lifting Dom's arm gently, Billy slid out from under him, replacing the warmth of his body with a thick, fluffy pillow against Dom's slender body.

"I'm sorry, Dommie," Billy murmured as he dropped to his knees at the bedside and pressed a tender kiss to Dom's forehead. "I'll be back, Honey, I swear."

Silently, in the corner of the room, his eyes hardly leaving his sleeping lover, Billy pulled on his jeans and slid Dom's discarded t-shirt over his head. Moving into the next room, Billy paused at the small mountain of boxes and cases positioned beside the door. His fingertips traced the top of one of the boxes thoughtfully before he shook his head and propped open the front door.

Methodically, Billy loaded Dom's belongings into the back of his car.

"You're still going through with this, you silly bastard?"

A deep voice shattered the quiet from beside Billy as he closed the hatchback of Dom's car, head pressed against the chrome casing along the window as he struggled against his turbulent emotions.

"Fuck off, Dais," Billy growled. "'m so not in the mood."

"Can see that," Daisy remarked and then nodded. "Can see the way to fix it, too."

"Not now Daisy, please," Billy replied, almost begging.

"If not now, when?" Daisy asked dryly. "In a year or two when you're both hurting so badly you hurt each other worse? In fifteen years when the hurt has turned to hate? Or maybe never, when it's too late for both of you?

"It was too late the minute we met, Dais," Billy answered.

"You're such a stubborn fucker. You don't need to do this. He loves you, you love him. The rest is gravy."

"Daisy, please." Billy drew a deep breath. "I can't fight him and you, too."

David shook his head, his eyes reflecting the sadness he wasn't even attempting to hide from his older brother.

"What can I do to help?" Opening his arms to Billy, David pulled him into a tight embrace.

"Nothing," Billy said, his voice muffled against David's chest. "Everything," he whispered as he pulled free of David's embrace.

"Since you're so intent on sending him away, I'm taking you to town today. It's the rattlesnake roping contest. Perfect time to get you wasted enough to forget for a little while."

"I've got work to do," Billy protested, shaking his head, eyes darting towards the ranch house.

"You won't have any cowhands if you pull that moody shit with them, Pip," David interjected firmly." Take a day to drown your pain."

"Fine." Billy waved his arms in acquiescence "Whatever," he added as he walked back towards Dom's house. Stopping dead in his tracks at the bottom of the steps he turned back to his brother. "Thanks, Daisy."

"No problem." David shrugged. " 'm your brother." He grinned, though the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's my job." He paused. "And even if it wasn't, I'd still be here for you."

"Shithead." Billy would have laughed, if his heart wasn't breaking.

Turning to walk up the steps and then spinning back around, Billy looked at David questioningly.

"What's wrong?" David asked, a frown furrowing his brow.

"I can't make him leave and make sure he's….." Billy broke off, struggling to find the words.

"Already done," David replied with a nod. "He's practically family, Pip. I'll make sure he's okay."

"Thanks." Billy said, bowing his head slightly.

"Go and say goodbye properly," David advised huskily. "If you make sure your hands are busy, I'll make sure the ranch hands are occupied elsewhere."

"Thanks, Daisy." Billy said and then slipped back through the door, closing it behind him.

Before he had even reached the bedroom, Billy's boots were gone and his jeans were unfastened. At the foot of the bed, Billy slid the material down his hips and stepped out of the rumpled denim before pulling the soft blue shirt over his head. Pressing the cotton to his face briefly, inhaling both Dom's and his own scent, Billy then gently tossed it on top of his jeans.

Lifting the sheet carefully, Billy slid in alongside Dom, pulled the pillow gently from Dom's arms and fit himself into the new hollow in Dom's embrace.

"Mmmmmm," Dom mumbled sleepily. "Your feet are cold."

"Sorry, Honey. Bathroom floor is cold."

Billy winced internally at the lie that had tumbled off his lips, and his arms closed around Dom tightly, pressing his mouth against Dom's, desperate to be as close to Dom as he possibly could be.

"I could warm them up," Dom whispered against Billy's face.

"You could," Billy murmured, punctuating his words with kisses. "But maybe I want to warm you up."

"I can always do with Billy warming," Dom replied teasingly, his fingers trailing down Billy's bare arm. "Think you're hot enough?"

"I think I can manage it." Billy let his fingers trail across Dom's face slowly, his fingertips memorizing every pore.

"Billy," Dom murmured and waited until Billy looked up at him, his green eyes crystalline with his sorrow. "Don't be sad. Please?"

"Not," Billy answered, his voice breathy and whispered. "Making my own memories, Honey."

"Then let me make them for you, my love," Dom whispered as he curled his leg over Billy's bare body, his growing arousal rubbing against Billy's thigh as he undulated his hips. "If you're determined to do this, I want to give you a memory that you'll never lose. Let me make love to you, Bills." Dom nuzzled his nose against Billy's neck. "Let me make us both memories we can hold forever."

"Yes…." Billy sighed against Dom's slightly scruffy cheek.

"I want you to remember me inside you, Sweetheart," Dom whispered into Billy's hair. "I want to remember the feeling of being inside you, one last time. Feeling your body gripping me. To be where I belong, just one more time."

"You know I can't say no to you, Dommie," Billy groaned against Dom's mouth.

"This isn't about me." Dom stated, lips beginning to trail a wet path across Billy's face and neck. "It's about you and giving you enough pleasure to last a lifetime."

"You're wrong, Dommie," Billy sighed, tilting his head back, giving Dom greater access as his fingers combed through tousled blonde hair. "It's about us." His voice faltered as Dom's nimble fingers found his hard nipple and twisted it playfully.

"Then best we don't waste any time," Dom murmured, his lips trailing across Billy's belly, teeth catching at the thin layer of furry hair and tugging gently.

"Dommie, come back up here," Billy moaned as Dom's mouth trailed lower, ignoring Billy's rigid erection and lathing a wet path along his thighs.

"No. Let me have this, Billy," Dom replied, punctuating his words with wet, licking kisses "Let me give this to you."

Squeezing his eyes closed, Billy's hips arched off the bed, silently begging Dom to touch him.

Sitting upright, straddling Billy's knees, Dom's fingers danced up and down Billy's hips and thighs. "Twelve weeks ago, I never would have dreamed that I would be here. That I could ever doing this, loving you, needing you, craving to touch you more than I need to breath. Needing you like I do. You've given me that, Billy." Sliding across Billy's quivering thighs, wrapping around his leaking erection, Dom's fingers closed loosely around Billy, sliding along his length slowly. "If this is our last time, this is all I have to give you."

"Dommie….please!" Those were the only coherent words Billy could force past his trembling lips.

Dom's fingers slid along Billy's glistening length, tightening obscenely as they squeezed. Stroking hard and fast, Dom's thumb swirled around the fluid-slick tip, over and over, his weight holding Billy's hips against the mattress. Billy's strength fought against him, struggling to push up into Dom's touch, craving more.

"For God's sake, Dommie," Billy moaned. "Please…God help me….you're killing me!" His lower body struggled to arch into Dom's touch.

"Then you don't need this?" Dom asked in a low whisper, his eyes nearly black with need as he slid further down Billy's legs, pinning them tightly together. Soulful blue-gray eyes never leaving Billy's passionate green, Dom lowered his head, extending his long tongue and flicked it across Billy's slick tip before closing his lips around the head of Billy's throbbing arousal.

The back of his hand pressed against his mouth muffled the strangled scream that Billy fought not to release, and it took all of Dom's strength to press Billy's hips back into the mattress as he went bowstring taut under Dom's touch.

Billy's hands twisted to reach above him and find the rails at the head of the bed, clutching them in a white knuckled grip. His hips lifted and twisted beneath Dom's loving touch, Dom's thumbs caressing Billy's hipbones as he pressed him into the mattress. His tongue swirling around Billy's throbbing flesh even as his cheeks hollowed with the suction of his tight mouth.

His eyes fixed on Billy's, Dom slid one hand across his sweat-slick torso, fingertips finding a rosy nipple and flicking it slowly.

Lifting his mouth from Billy's flesh, Dom's tongue darted out to lick the glistening moisture from his lips.

"I want to taste you, Bills." Dom murmured his voice low and sultry

"Fuck me, Dommie," Billy gasped. "You…I….dammit," he almost whimpered, hips involuntarily arching up, desperately begging for Dom's renewed touch.

"We'll get to that, Billy," Dom murmured, letting his tongue flick across Billy's tip, pressing into the fluid-slick opening there. "First I want to taste you."

As Dom's lips closed around Billy again, his cheeks hollowed, and he sucked ferociously, his tongue lathing across Billy's tip, as Billy fell to pieces beneath him.

Arms taut above his head and his knuckles white, Billy's nails pierced crescents into his palms as his eyes rolled back in his head and his hips arched, pushing himself deep into Dom's mouth, his hot release pulsing against Dom's tongue.

Dom licked at Billy's softening length slowly, releasing him from the tight, sucking cavern of his mouth and pressing tiny, wet kisses along Billy's flesh. Sliding up his body slowly, following the path of his kisses, Dom moved back towards Billy's mouth, and the kisses he needed like air to breathe.

Swirling his tongue around Billy's navel and across his furry belly, Dom trailed his mouth higher, suckling tightly on Billy's rosy nipples, tugging gently at the furry mat of hair, until finally his lips brushed across Billy's.

"Sweet heaven, Dommie," Billy sighed against Dom's lips, his hands moving to stroke the length of Dom's spine. "I love you so much."

Eyes glazed with unshed tears, Dom kissed Billy wetly, wondering if Billy realized that he had just confessed his love. Mouth sliding across Billy's in wet, open mouthed abandon, Dom's fingers
tangle in Billy's damp curls, overwhelmed by Billy's unconscious, passionate confession.

"You know what, Billy?' Dom whispered against Billy's ear as he nipped and tugged at the velvety flesh of his earlobe. "You taste like heaven." He sighed, hips undulating slowly against Billy's.

"Because you take me there," Billy murmured, arching his neck, opening the smooth, taut lines of his throat to Dom's mouth, his fingers tracing the curve of Dom's hips, pulling him closer, legs wrapping around Dom's thighs as they writhed wantonly against each other.

"Dommie," Billy murmured as his small fingers touched Dom's aching flesh. "I want to feel you, deep inside me." His lips moved against Dom's neck as he suckled the smooth, golden flesh wetly. "So deep, Honey," he murmured.

Lifting his head to look into Billy's face, Dom's eyes were indigo blue with longing and glazed with his need, his kiss swollen lips smacking against Billy's cheek wetly before his husky voice, breathily whispered, "So deep there's no beginning and no end…..just us."

"You have no idea," Billy whispered, his hands stroking, caressing, touching, groping, slipping across sweat-slick muscles. "Just how badly I need that, Honey." His tongue licked wetly from the curve of Dom's shoulder to his earlobe and caught the flesh in his teeth, tugging it gently. "So badly."

Reluctantly pulling back from Billy's wet, suckling mouth and looking into his face, sweat glistening on his skin, Dom levered himself up, his heavy, insistent arousal rubbing against Billy's chest as his hips thrust erratically, slippery fluids smearing across Billy's furry, muscular body.

"Then turn over for me, Sweetheart," Dom murmured

"I want to watch your eyes, Dommie." Billy caught Dom's face in his hands. "When you're inside me, I want to see your beautiful eyes."

"You will, my love." Dom leaned forward to kiss Billy on the tip of his nose. "But first there's something I want to do," Dom explained, his eyes focused on Billy's. "Trust me….please?"

"With my life," Billy answered without hesitation.

Kissing Dom gently, Billy rolled over, head resting on his folded arms as Dom kissed the back of his neck. Wet, open mouthed kisses trailing down Billy's spine, Dom's long fingers massaging the taut muscles. His tongue swirled across the skin it passed, teeth nipping, lips kissing. Rising up onto his knees, Dom's tongue found the cleft of Billy's bottom. Delving into it slowly, he pushed his tongue between Billy's taut clenched buttocks before transferring his attention to one pale globe of Billy's ass.

"Relax, Sweetheart," Dom whispered, his breath against Billy's skin, sending shivers up Billy's spine.

"Don't think I ever will again," Billy moaned, his body taut with renewed need.

"I think you might." Dom smiled as his tongue licked a slow, wet path across one buttock, blowing on the moist skin he left. His tongue dipped into the cleft between Billy's buttocks and smiled as Billy's legs open wantonly.

Taking advantage of Billy's movements Dom let his tongue trail across the skin revealed. The tip of Dom's long, agile tongue rubbing back and forth across Billy's entrance sent a shockwave through the older man, and Billy's knees drew up under him, pushing his hips up to Dom's mouth while his hands groped forward for the wooden rails to cling to desperately. Moans tumbled from Billy's rosebud lips, over and over, the only discernible words, Dom's name and an affirmation of his own needs.

Billy's hips desperately arching towards him, Dom flicked his tongue faster before insistently pushing past the tight muscle at Billy's entrance, his long fingers pulling the pale globes of Billy's buttocks further open so he could plunge his tongue in, as deep as possible. Swirling, twisting, plunging, tasting, never still, Dom's fingers caressed the flesh they held, his warm breath blowing across the moisture left in his mouths' path.

Pulling away, drawing deep calming breaths, desperate to touch himself, his arousal pressed against his taut belly, Dom sucked his long fingers into his mouth, licking them, leaving them slick and wet. Pressing one finger against Billy's entrance, Dom pushed gently against the puckered muscle and slid slowly inside his lover's body. One long digit twisted and probed as Dom's lips pressed kisses along the curve of Billy's buttocks, licking and swirling his tongue across the dimples at the small of Billy's back.

"More," Billy growled hoarsely. "For the love of God, Honey," he almost sobbed. "I need you."

"You know what is even more addictive then your kisses?" Dom murmured, pulling his finger out.

"What?" Billy whimpered, rolling onto his back, his hips arching up, legs falling open wantonly, desperately searching for Dom's touch. "Please Dommie, don't tease."

"I know what a drug addict feels like," Dom sighed as he slowly slid his finger into Billy's body again, twisting and wriggling it as it plunged and withdrew in a teasing rhythm. "Hearing you beg for my touch is like a drug, Billy," Dom murmured, his mouth lowering to grind hard, wet kisses onto Billy's lips.

Billy's small hands gripped Dom's head in a tight embrace, pulling the younger man tighter against him, Billy's tongue plunging desperately into Dom's mouth, begging wordlessly for his Dom and the completion only he could give him. Dragging his mouth wetly from Dom's kiss swollen lips Billy moaned, "Please Dommie," Billy groaned against the scruffy cheek, teeth plucking at the hair there. "I need you inside me, so badly." He rocked his hips up to Dom's slowly plunging finger. "So badly I hurt. Please?"

Skin flushed and perspiration beaded, Dom slid a second finger into Billy's tight body, and scissoring them back and forth. Feeling Billy's body stretching and relaxing around his digits, Dom let his mouth trail across Billy's scruffy face and down his throat as Billy threw back his head, Dom's mouth suckling at his adam's apple.

Withdrawing his hand, Dom leaned back on his side, eyes searching Billy's face as Billy's whimpering, mewling sobs filled the air, hips arching up from the bed, desperately seeking something that was just outside his reach. Body taut and trembling, Billy's small hands grasped at Dom, pulling him closer, silently begging for the completion that Dom's touch promised.

Long fingers closed around Billy's throbbing erection, and sliding them along his slick length, Dom smiled, his heavy lidded eyes fixed on Billy's lips, as a stream of incoherent gibberish flowed from them. Billy's body arched from the bed, desperately pushing into the blessed friction of Dom's fingers.

"Faster," Billy groaned, his teeth gritted against the sensations coursing through his body. "Close…." His words trailed off, hips jerking up into Dom's hand. "Please," he begged brokenly. Hands groping across the sheets, Billy's trembling fingertips traveled along Dom's thighs, pulling at his hips, silently asking for more.

"Not yet, Sweetheart," Dom whispered into his ear, removing his hand as he leaned down to kiss Billy wetly. "Don't you want to wait for me?" he murmured into Billy's ear as he trailed the tip of his finger down Billy's length, pausing to brush back and forth across the leaking tip.

"Can't," Billy muttered through gritted teeth. "Need," he groaned.

"It's our last time, Sweetheart," Dom spoke against Billy's ear, teeth catching his earlobe and tugging on it. "Wait for me?"

Finally, Dom gave into the urge to touch his own aching arousal and watched Billy's eyes follow the path of his hand down as he wrapped his long fingers around his erection and stroked it roughly. At the sensation, a tortured sigh dragged from his lips.

Dom watched as Billy clamped his teeth together as his badly shaking hand moved to Dom's face, cupping his cheek tenderly as he nodded tightly. Tilting his head in agreement, Dom watched Billy's struggle to calm the inferno that was coursing through his veins, his body slowly sinking back down onto the bed, as inch by inch, Billy forced his body to relax.

"Please, Honey," Billy murmured "No more. Need you."

"I know, Sweetheart," Dom whispered as he moved to kneel between Billy's outstretched legs.

Resting his weight on his hands, Dom leaned forward pressing his lips against Billy's. Kissing him wetly, their tongues slid along each other, retreating and advancing, each giving and taking with equal abandon. Pulling away from Billy's swollen lips, eyes dark and glazed with need and passion, Dom watched his lover trembling beneath him, and lifting a hand to trail it across Billy's fevered skin, his lips turned up in a crooked grin.

"Ready?" Dom spoke gruffly, barely recognizing his own voice, filled with the rumbling velvet of his own passion.

Billy's eyes fluttered open, eyes almost black with need, his shaking hands caught Dom's face in his and pulled him down for a hot, wet kiss. Legs parted and wrapped around Dom's hips, urging him closer, Billy pulling Dom down to his body.

With one long fingered hand, Dom guided himself towards Heaven, and his fingertips brushed across Billy's entrance before his swollen arousal took their place. Dom's hand trailed across Billy's torso until he reached his face and kiss ravaged mouth, his thumb brushing across Billy's lower lip. Eyes fixed on Billy's aroused, hungry green gaze, Dom slowly and carefully breached the tight ring of muscle and slid into the desperate welcoming heat of his Billy.

Billy's hands slid down Dom's sweat slick back, fingertips pressing into Dom's buttocks, pulling him deeper into the tight grip of his body, his legs wrapping around Dom's thighs, drawing him deeper.

"Slow down, Billy," Dom gasped as he struggled to halt the helpless stuttering of his hips, trying desperately to give Billy's body time to adjust to his invasion.

"Don't need," Billy moaned wantonly, mouth trailing across Dom's neck. "Please, Dommie." His tongue flicked out to lick at the salty skin against his mouth. "Too good. Please, Honey."

Hips undulating under Dom's, Billy's leaking arousal smearing his essence across his belly was too much for Dom's slender grip on his self control. Almost pulling out of Billy's tight embrace, Dom plunged back into Billy, gasping as Billy's body gripped him.

"Billy," Dom gasped. "Please. Won't. Last." He struggled to slow the frantic pace of his own body as they slammed against each other.

Sweat slick skin slipped and slid, slapping together as Billy arched up into Dom and Dom ground down into Billy.

Billy's hands slid the length of Dom's body, finding and cupping Dom's face, speaking hoarsely, his breath heaving as he struggled to maintain the slimmest grasp of control.

"Don't," Billy murmured, his accent becoming almost intelligible. "Let. Go," he gasped as Dom's fingers closed around his straining, leaking arousal. "Need. You. Not. Control."

Billy's guttural words were the flames that burnt the last shards of Dom's control, and holding his weight on his elbow, the fingers of one hand twisted in Billy's hair as Dom's mouth feasted on Billy's hungrily. Buried deep inside Billy, their hips slammed together as Billy's legs wrapped high around Dom's hipbones, his heels pressing into Dom's buttocks. Muscular legs pushing him deeper with each sweat slick stroke of their hips, Dom's other hand wrapped tightly around Billy's slick throbbing erection, his thumb brushing relentlessly across the leaking tip. Unable to control the sensations burning through his body with the force of an out of control freight train, Dom could feel his climax tightening his body, his toes curling as sensation rushed over him. His hand tightened on Billy's arousal, sliding slickly and frantically along Billy's rigid length.

"Billy. Please," Dom gasped, struggling to speak coherently as his body fought against him. "Let. Me." He paused to breath, fingers tightening and increasing their pace. "Watch. You. Come."

Unable to refuse a single request from the young man who had given him his heart and body so willingly, and had asked for so little in return, Billy let his tight hold on his body unravel. Each deep, plunging stroke of Dom's arousal nudged against Billy's sweet spot as his hand slipped along Billy's arousal. Dom's eyes watching Billy's face intently, his smoldering, blue-gray eyes absorbing as much as he could to warm his memories, were too much for Billy's limited control. Even as Billy barely nodded his head in acknowledgement of Dom's request, Billy's body began to betray him.

Eyes never leaving Dom's, Billy's hips arched up violently as his
hot release spurted over Dom's long fingers, and as Billy settled back onto the mattress beneath him, his hands and feet pulled Dom closer, deeper. Dom's fingers released him and their lips met in a hard, wet kiss, and then his hips began to move with even greater intensity, Billy's already tight grip on his body clenching at his arousal.

Pulling back from their kiss, Billy whispered into Dom's ear breathily. "My. Turn," he murmured. "Show me, Dommie," he sighed against Dom's lips.

Dom's fingers tangled tightly in Billy's hair, lips meeting Billy's in a hard, grinding kiss. Hips stuttering against Billy, Dom's long, thrusting strokes becoming erratic, short, sharp, plunging strokes. Body taut with arousal, Billy fought against his release, struggling to wait for Dom.

Slipping one hand between them, Billy’s fingers found one hard little nipple and twisted it.

Dom threw his head back, a wail of release bubbling from his lips, eyes rolling back in his head as his climax washed over him. Pulsing deep within Billy's body, he fell bonelessly on top of Billy, face burrowing into the curve of Billy's strong shoulder.

Billy let his fingers trail up and down Dom's sweat slick back, listening as Dom's breathing gradually slowed. Tears welled in Billy's eyes as he realized that the hitch he could feel in Dom's breathing, and the moisture on his shoulder meant that together they had reduced his beautiful young lover to tears.

"It's alright, Dommie," Billy murmured, turning his head just enough to kiss Dom's hair.

"I've never had to leave a lover before," Dom murmured, lifting his head and wiping his eyes. "I need to remember this," he whispered, eyes searching Billy's face. "It's all you'll let me have. I can't ever let you forget this."

"There is no way I'll ever forget a minute that I've spent with you, Honey."

"But you still won't ask me to stay, will you?" Dom murmured.

"I can't, Dom." Billy closed his eyes, refusing to look into Dom's tear filled orbs. "I'll end up destroying us both."

"Figured." Dom let his head fall back into the curve of Billy's shoulder. "Stay here for just a little while?"

"We can't, Honey." Billy brushed his fingers through Dom's tousled hair. "You have to get on the road, or it'll be too late today."

"Then I should shower." Dom sighed, his eyes falling closed for the briefest of moments. "Will you come with me?" he asked nervously, eyes sparkling suspiciously.

"I can't, Dommie," Billy murmured. "Or I'll want to have you wrapped around me, and bury myself inside you one last time, and then you'd never get away."

"I don't want to get away," Dom replied petulantly as he rolled over and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Don't, Dom," Billy answered flatly. "Don't make our last words angry."

"Last words?" Dom turned back to look at him closely

Billy looked away, his face flushing guiltily.

"You were just going to leave while I was showering, weren't you?" Dom accused as he stood and stalked to the end of the bed, pulling his towel off the blanket box. "Were you even going to say goodbye?"

"Dammit, Dom," Billy growled as he swung out of the bed. "It's not like that. You fecking know that." Standing in front of Dom, Billy cupped his face gently, his thumb caressing the scruffy chin. "I know I'm breaking your heart. I don't want to say goodbye to you. I've been saying goodbye to you all morning without actually saying the words."

"I know." Dom's anger melted and he wrapped himself around Billy tightly.

"Go and shower, Dommie." Billy cupped Dom's face in both hands and brought their mouths together for a long, slow, wet, tender kiss, swollen lips brushing across Dom's wetly as their tongues met and danced erotically. "Your car is packed. Everything is ready to go. Just need you to shower."

"You packed my car?" Dom pulled back, his brow furrowed.

"I needed to help you, Honey." Billy shrugged.

"By getting me out of here so much quicker?"

"It wasn't like that." Billy shook his head. "You know that."

"I know," Dom sighed as he pulled away. He walked all the way across the room before turning and looking back at Billy. "I'll never, ever forget you," Dom said quietly before he walked into the bathroom, eyes glistening brightly with unshed tears.

Billy listened to the shower start running and closed his eyes, drawing a deep breath he struggled to keep his emotions under control.

Pulling his clothes on haphazardly, Billy nearly ran from the bedroom, desperate to escape. Pausing at the hat stand in the foyer, Billy lifted his hat and pushed it onto his head with one hand while the fingers of his other hand brushed along the brim of Dom's hat, his eyes glistening with uncontrollable sadness. Lifting the white straw hat from the wooden hook Billy pressed it against his chest and slipped silently out of Dom's house.

In the shower, Dom closed the lid of the toilet and sat down heavily. Lowering his head to his hands, Dom finally let his emotions loose. Hot, angry and sad tears flowed freely from his sorrow-filled eyes. Each breath he inhaled carried the scent of Billy, and their poignant, passionate lovemaking. He couldn't. He wouldn't wash that from his skin, until absolutely necessary. Rising and wiping his face slowly, Dom stood and turned the shower off.

Walking through his now empty bedroom, Dom pulled on the clothes he had left on the chair to wear today. Lifting yesterday's clothes from the floor, Dom folded them carefully and slipped them into the top drawer of the dresser. Something for Billy, even if the stubborn cowboy didn't think he needed it.

Pausing at the door, Dom let his eyes roam over the house that had been home for three months. Not a single room didn't remind him of Billy, even the door that he clung to like a lifeline was a memory that flashed behind his eyes as he felt the texture of the wood. Drawing a deep breath into aching lungs, Dom pushed off the warm grained boards and stepped out into the sunlit world outside.

True to Billy's word, Dom's vehicle sat at the foot of the front steps, laden with his belongings and the boxes of shards he was taking home to Boulder with him. Walking down to the car, Dom couldn't help the tears that filled his eyes when he opened the driver's door and discovered a posy of flowers, almost identical to the ones Billy had given him once before, wilting on the seat.

"You could stay, you know."

David's voice from behind him visibly startled Dom.

"I can't," Dom murmured, his fingertips brushing reverently across the fragile petals before he lifted them from the seat.

"Why can't you? You obviously want to."

"Of course I do, but I won't. Not unless he asks me to."

"Damn stubborn bastards," David cussed before he stepped forward and pulled Dom into his arms.

Dom stiffened, startled by the touch, momentarily drawn into unbidden memories of a harsher, painful time, but as David's arms completed their circle around him, Dom sank into David's strong embrace, grateful for the support and understanding from the bigger man.

"He loves you, Dommie lad," David whispered against his blonde head.

"I know." Dom nodded against David's warm, musky chest.

"Can I do anything at all to help you?" he asked.

Dom pulled back and looked up into David's clear blue eyes.

"Keep him safe for me?" Dom asked softly.

"Absolutely."

"He's hurting worse than I am, David. He needs his brother. His beautiful, tender heart ….. He's tearing it apart himself. Please help him to hold it together?"

"What about yours?" David murmured.

"Mine's hurting, but it's not being torn awry like his is," Dom explained, smiling sadly at David. "Billy is the love of my soul. He makes my heart sing, and he makes it cry, but he could never break it. Not really."

"You're a special person, young Dominic." David drew the younger man back against his chest. "He's lucky he met you first."

"No offense, David," Dom grinned wanly against David's shirt. "But, it wouldn't have mattered. My heart knew Billy was the one the minute I saw him."

"I know." Slowly and reluctantly, David released him.

"He sent you to make sure I was okay, didn't he?"

"He did." David answered with a nod.

Dom looked at the tiny wilting flowers in his hand and plucked one of the delicate, azure blooms from the bunch.

"Give this to him for me?" Dom asked, holding it out to David. "Look after him for me. He's-" Dom's voice cracked as his eyes renewed their glistening with unshed tears. "He's hurting worse than I am," Dom continued, his voice now very unsteady. "I know there is hope," he said, smiling weakly. "But Billy can see none."

"To hope is to hurt." David explained.

"Keep him safe until he can hope, David. Please," Dom almost begged as he slid into the car.

David nodded wordlessly, then closed the car door.

"When will you be home?"

"Probably late tonight." Dom paused. "I'm going for one last visit to Arwen Canyon. Then straight home, but I'll probably stop in Helm's Deep for gas and some supplies."

"Drive safe, Dominic," David replied, and closed his large hand over Dom's shoulder. "You keep yourself safe."

Dom nodded tightly, afraid to speak again, lest he unravel the tiny ribbon of control he was clinging to. Starting the car, Dom waved farewell to David, then drove off slowly, his eyes watching the rear view mirror as much as he watched the road.

As the life he could have had shrank into the distance and he drove past the main ranch house, Dom caught sight of a forlorn figure, standing in the shadows at the edge of the house. Billy. Dom's heart crumbled as he took in the defeated slump to Billy's shoulders, his arms folded around himself, eyes fixed on Dom's car. The pain and longing in them was almost enough to make Dom hit the brakes and beg Billy to let him stay, to say to Hell with what Billy wants. Just stay and take their happiness one day at a time.

Tears flowed freely down Dom's tanned cheeks as he struggled to see the road, watching Billy shrink in his rearview mirror until he could see him no more.

~*~*~*~*~

David stalked up the pathway toward the house, determined to give his older brother a piece of his mind, but as he reached the top of the pathway, the wind was knocked out of his furious sails by the sight that met him. Shoulders slumped in defeat and shaking violently with unsaid emotion, Billy leaned against the dining room wall.

"You're a fucking idiot, you know that, Pip?" David asked rhetorically as he reached Billy's side.

"Aye. Ah know," Billy answered, his accent thick with the unshed tears that were choking him.

"Anything I can do?" David asked lightly, glancing over his shoulder
and watching Dom's car disappearing into the distance.

"Put me out of my misery?" Billy replied without pause.

"I could," David mused. "I'd get a pay rise and a promotion, the hands would love me for it, but Viggo would kill me. Wouldn't be worth it." He shrugged noncommittally.

"It would be to me," Billy murmured, his voice cracking as David held out the tiny flower to him.

"Dom wanted you to have this," David said softly.

"I'm doing the right thing, Daisy." Billy looked up at his brother, Dom's crushed hat and the fragile stalk of the flower caught in his hands while shimmering tears glistened on his lashes before beginning their descent down his cheeks, lower lip trembling as he attempted not to break down.

"No. No, you're not." David shook his head. "But, it's your decision." Folding his arms around Billy's waist, he pulled him into his comforting arms.

"This is killing me, Daisy," Billy murmured, dragging himself from his brother's hold.

"C'mon," David said softly. "Go shower, change your clothes. I'll wait for you in the truck. We're going in the Helm's Deep. It's time for you to cut loose for a few hours."

"Got things I have to do." Billy shook his head, wiping his damp eyes on his sleeve.

"Nothing that won't wait until tomorrow. Deal with it, Pip. You're coming with me. Now go get changed."

"Do I have a choice?" Billy murmured under his breath.

"Not a one." David stood tall, pressing his fisted hands to his hips. "Get your shit together, Pip, we need some fun." Turning on his booted heel, David headed towards his truck.

Walking to up to his room and bypassing the bathroom, Billy shucked one set of jeans and plaid shirt for a pair of dark denim bootleg jeans and the same, deep green shirt he'd been wearing the day that Dom had arrived at the Double L. Carefully slipping Dom's flower into the left chest pocket of his shirt, Billy threw his hat onto his bed and instead placed Dom's serviceable, white straw hat onto his head.

Minutes later, Billy was climbing into David's truck, locking himself into the seat belt before he turned, waiting for David to get their trip into Helm's Deep underway.

"You know, far be it for me to be interested in my brother's ablutions, but did you shower?" David asked gently as he started the truck and put it in gear.

"Nope," Billy answered without prevaricating.

"You have to eventually, Pip. His scent won't linger forever."

"I have to keep it while I can, Daisy. Don't expect you to understand." Billy watched the scenery outside the window as they started their journey.

"I do understand," David replied. "More than you realize." Keeping one eye on the road, he gestured at Billy's hat. "Does he know you kept that?"

"Doubt it," Billy replied flatly.

"You could have kept him here, instead of just keeping his clothes," David stated.

"Fuck off, Daisy. Not going to talk about it." Billy rubbed his eyes furiously.

"Fine. Not another word," David replied calmly. "But you might want to push the flower into your pocket properly." He gestured at the tiny bloom, poking its brilliant blue stunning against the deep green of the shirt.

Chapter 28

Comments

[-vanillashake.livejournal.com]

Omg. He insnt really gone, is he?
Dom's just waiting around the corner, jumps on the stresst and...and...noo, don't break their hearts. And mine, too.

Please?

[sassywitch.livejournal.com]

He's definately gone, hearts are breaking and they're both too stubborn to stop it.

[mystery-ink.livejournal.com]

"In a year or two when you're both hurting so badly you hurt each other worse? In fifteen years when the hurt has turned to hate? Or maybe never, when it's too late for both of you?"

Nice touch... reminds me of a certain other two cowboys...

Incredible. Really. I kept wondering why you never had Dom make love to Billy, but now I know you were keeping best for last.

To hope is to hurt. Yep, somehow Billy has to learn hope, but it's so much easier for him to just suppress it and "not hurt" (ha!).

Helm's Deep? Rattlesnake roping contest? *L*!

But... you're letting Dom go out to Arwen Canyon? by himself? for one last look? Hmmmm.... *suspicious of underlying intentions of the writer!*

Loved this!

[sassywitch.livejournal.com]

Billy won't let himself hope, he won't be hurt again.

No suspicious underlying intentions, Dom just wanted to see the Canyon one last time. He has no plans to return.

Glad you enjoyed it hon.

[fromperdition.livejournal.com]

Omg. I'm like sobing.

Gah, they're so damn stubborn! But it was a beautiful chapter though. Thanks for it.

[sassywitch.livejournal.com]

*passes kleenex*

Stubborn little cusses aren't they.

Thank you, glad you're enjoying.

[daydreambeleevr.livejournal.com]

"I'm not strong enough to let you go if I lose myself in your eyes, Honey."

you are killing me here.

"No." Dom lifted his head and looked deeply into Billy's sad green
eyes. "Don't. You taught me how to love, you taught me what love is,

alrighty then. i've totally lost my shit. i'm a soppy, blubbery, snotty mess. happy? :grin:


Walking down to the car, Dom couldn't help the tears that filled his
eyes when he opened the driver's door and discovered a posy of flowers,
almost identical to the ones Billy had given him once before, wilting on the seat.

you just managed to kill the little slobbery rest of me that was still in one piece. well done.

sassy, sassy... so good, soooo good. now bring Dom back. :smile:

*hugs*

kerry =)

[sassywitch.livejournal.com]

*passes kleenex* *hugs back*

Dom won't come back until Billy asks him to, and we've already established Billy's a stubborn bastard. It might be a while.

Glad you're enjoying hon.

[loozy.livejournal.com]

*sniffle*

[sassywitch.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

Didn't mean to make sniffles. Glad you're enjoying.

[crsty1961.livejournal.com]

God that hurt and it's all fruitless. Dom's not going to want anyone else, why would Billy think he would?

[sassywitch.livejournal.com]

It did hurt didn't it.

But don't forget, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

Glad you're enjoying.

[divinemadam.livejournal.com]

That was so heart-achingly beautiful! That was the scene that I always wanted in the real book that wasn't there. I'm totally weepy right now, and I don't get weepy over fics or books! This is better than the original. I don't say that lightly either because I think that Elizabeth Lowell is an excellent writer, one of my favorites. I have read her books in all genres (romance, sci-fi, and mystery) and I get her monthly e-mail from her website. I am a big fan, but you have taken this story where she should have. Thank you for completing this section of the story for me.

[sassywitch.livejournal.com]

That part of the original was the only part that really jarred me. I don't know about you but I needed the parting.

It is so rewarding for me that you appreciate this so much. Thank you for your support hon.

[illiadri.livejournal.com]

"He's hurting worse than I am, David. He needs his brother. His beautiful, tender heart ….. He's tearing it apart himself. Please help him to hold it together?"

*sigh* Oh the sadness.

Billy is crazy mad. David should have shaken him til his teeth rattled or he saw sense. One or t'other.

But they're both stopping in at Helm's Deep? Is it too much to hope for a coincidential on purpose meeting being arranged by Daisy?! *runs off to see*

[sassywitch.livejournal.com]

They are so sad and so stubborn aren't they.

There will be a meeting at Helm's Deep but I'm guessing that it's not the one you are hoping for.