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monaboyd Sep. 29th, 2008 09:46 am)
dylan-dufresne.livejournal.com posting in monaboyd Sep. 29th, 2008 09:46 am)Title: Contrary to Popular Belief
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: PG-ish. Wee warning of medical squick.
Summary: Things aren’t always as they appear.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it's my drug of choice.
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. This is my imagination at work.
A/N: D will be posted on Wednesday.
Previous: A | B
Billy tells himself he's wrong.
He's reading too much into Dom's lingering hug.
Dom's an affectionate bloke, especially with Billy, them being best mates and all. They've spent several lazy days together, staying up late, drinking too much and eating takeaway and now Dom has to reluctantly bid him adieu; return to Manchester for an extended visit with his Mum and Dad.
Throughout the visit, Dom's mood has been light, his body language relaxed, and Billy hadn't thought anything was amiss until the parting hug. It's just a fraction too long, the embrace the tiniest bit tighter than usual. Convincing himself that he's being ridiculous, Billy mentally shrugs it off, smiling and waving as Dom drives away.
It's only four days later and Billy's in the kitchen, making his morning porridge when the phone rings, and he swallows a yawn as he answers it.
"Good morning, Billy. I hope I didn't wake you."
"Aureen. This is an unexpected surprise," Billy replies, firmly shoving the nagging doubt to the back of his mind. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm sorry for calling like this," Aureen says, the discomfort clear in her voice. "I know you're very busy, but I just had to try. I have to do something."
"I'm never too busy to talk to you," Billy tells her, his tone gentle. "If there's something I can do, please tell me."
"Well, I don't know what your schedule at the theatre is like these days," the older woman continues, talking faster as though she's trying to get the words out before she loses her nerve. "Dom said you were in rehearsals now, for a play, but if you have even a wee bit of spare time, I know he'd love to see you."
Now utterly confused, Billy's mouth refuses to work, his mind racing, trying to put the puzzle together - even though he only has half the pieces.
"He's having a rough time of it right now, and I thought maybe you could come see him," Aureen adds. "Nobody knows him better than you. Maybe you can help him."
"I don't understand," Billy says finally, scratching absently at the scruff on his chin. "He seemed fine when he was here. He didn't mention anything."
"Oh my God," Aureen whispers. "He didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?" Billy asks quickly, confusion giving way to panic.
"He got home from visiting you, but he wasn't feeling very well, and went to bed early. I thought he was just overtired, but the next afternoon he came to me, concerned, and I insisted that he get it checked out," Aureen reveals. "I knew it had to be bothering him quite a bit, since, well-"
"What? Billy inquires softly.
"It was just a bit of discomfort at first, soreness in his lower back that could've been attributed to the drive, but it got worse. I-"
"He saw a doctor?"
"He was examined. They drew blood, ran some tests and it turns out he has a rather nasty bacterial infection."
"He's in hospital?"
"No, he's home, but rather uncomfortable and will be for a while."
"I'll be there later today," Billy tells her. "Hopefully this afternoon."
"Billy-"
"Thank you for calling me, Aureen," Billy interrupts gently. "Really. I mean it."
"I'll have a room ready for you," she promises. "Thank you."
* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *
As promised, Billy rings the front bell at the Monaghan home just before half three, gnawing on his lower lip and then trying to smile when Aureen answers the door.
"Hello Billy. How was the drive?"
"Okay," he replies. "How is he?"
"He's napping at the moment; upstairs," Aureen reports. "Go on up."
Nodding gratefully at the older woman, Billy tightens his grip on the handle of the duffle bag he packed, in the event he ends up staying a few days, and hurries up to the second floor, to Dom's room. Thick curtains have been drawn over the window, long shadows falling across the bed, the coverlet nearly obscuring Dom's face completely. It's as Billy is closing the door behind him as quietly as possible that Dom shifts, stretches and finally opens his eyes. Pushing himself up onto his elbows and yawning, Dom looks around the room, only to freeze when he realizes he's not alone.
"Hi," Billy says softly. "How are you feeling?"
He starts to close the distance between them, only to stop short when Dom's gaze fills with distress.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" he gasps.
"Your Mum called," Billy explains as he sets his bag down on the floor next to the bureau. "She thought you'd like a visitor while you're recuperating."
"Oh no," Dom moans as he flops back on the mattress and coves his face with his hands. "This isn't happening."
Taken aback by Dom's reaction to his presence, Billy hesitates, and then continues across the room, perching gingerly on the edge of Dom's bed.
"You don't want me here?" he asks uncertainly. "Your Mum-"
"What did she tell you?" Dom demands as he uncovers his eyes to meet Billy's gaze.
"That you weren't feeling well when you got back from Glasgow, and that you saw a doctor the next afternoon; said you have an infection."
"That's it?"
Billy frowns in confusion. "Aye. What's going on? And why didn't you say anything? If you-"
"I thought I was just tired," Dom interjects to explain. "Too much booze and not enough sleep. Getting old or some shite."
"So you've got an infection. Why wouldn't you want me to know that?"
"Mum didn't say give you any details about it," Dom says flatly. "Did she?"
"No, but-"
Sighing heavily, Dom scrubs a hand over his face. "Fuck."
"Bloody hell, Dom. Just tell me."
"It kinda hurt to piss when I got up that morning," Dom reveals awkwardly. "Not a lot, but some. And then my back started hurting. I got home, and was up four times in the night, thinking I had to go. And it was getting a lot harder to piss."
"Oh." Eyeing the coverlet in the area of Dom's pelvis, Billy swallows. "So the infection is . . ."
"According to the doctor, I have a urinary tract infection and acute bacterial prosta-something," Dom explains, a hot blush staining his cheeks. "I'm on antibiotics until it clears up."
"Okay, so it's a wee bit embarrassing, but-"
"It's not that, Bills," Dom tells him wearily. "Apparently it's not all that common for someone my age, and the doctor told me that it sometimes occurs following-"
Suddenly the volume of Dom's voice drops to a mumble, causing Billy to lean forward in an effort to hear him better.
"What?"
"Two blokes shagging!" Dom blurts out, and then winces at the confession.
Frozen in shock, Billy can only stare at Dom, mentally putting all the puzzle pieces together. Now it all makes sense.
"Bloody buggering fuck," he whispers. "Your Mum- She thinks-"
"She's a nurse, Bills," Dom says, utterly dejected. "She hasn't come out and asked me, but there's been enough hints that I think odds are pretty good that she thinks-"
"That we did nothing but shag, and now-" Groaning, Billy covers his face with his hands. "That's why she was so upset that you didn't tell me."
"And that's why I didn't want you to come."
"But we didn't!" Billy says, pulling his hands away. "Shag, I mean."
"I know that, but if I try to explain, it's only going to make things worse."
Billy arches an eyebrow. "How?"
"Me thinks he doth protest too much," Dom quotes miserably. "The more I deny it, the more it looks like-"
"We're guilty as bleeding sin," Billy finishes. "And when she called, I dropped everything, to come see you. We're fucked."
"Completely."
Exhaling a heavy sigh, Billy purses his lips in thought for a moment. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay," Dom reports. "Pills make me tired, but I prefer them, considering the alternative."
"I'm almost afraid to ask," Billy comments warily, inviting Dom's explanation.
"They were going to shove a tube up my-" Unable to say the words aloud, Dom can only make hand gestures. "So I could piss."
"Whoa!" Billy gasps, unconsciously covering himself.
"I know, but that's still better than if they had to operate," Dom says with a shudder.
"Please don’t share anymore, Dom."
"Hey, I'm the one who's stuck here, with my Mum thinking that my best mate fucked me up the arse so much that-"
"You're right," Billy interrupts. "Sorry."
"So what are we going to do?"
Rubbing at his tired eyes, Billy thinks for a moment and then heels off his shoes. "First, you're going to get some rest, and I'm going to take a nap. We'll figure out what to do about your Mum after that."
"Okay," Dom replies, nodding slowly.
"Move over."
"What?"
"Move over," Billy repeats, rising off the bed and pulling back the coverlet.
"But, Bills-"
"What?" he asks, looking up at the younger man after unzipping his trousers.
"Mum already thinks we're shagging. If she catches us sleeping in the same bed, it's more proof that she's right."
"Well, if you don't want me here, I can-"
"I didn't say that," Dom interrupts quickly, and then averts his eyes. "I just- I don't want to do anything that'll makes things worse, or make you look bad. You're my best mate, and I don't want anyone to think badly of you."
Smiling gently, Billy reaches over and affectionately tousles Dom's already mussed hair. "I appreciate it, Dom, but I'm fine. You don't have to worry about that. Now shift your arse. I'm knackered."
Obediently, Dom slides over to make room for Billy on the mattress, and once Billy has removed his trousers, he joins Dom, tugging the coverlet over both of their bodies. Once settled into a comfortable position, Billy looks over at Dom, noticing a furrow between his eyebrows.
"What?"
"I thought you'd be- I don't know. That's why I didn't call," Dom explains hesitantly. "I was going to handle it by myself. Or try to. Now you're here, and don't seem to mind. I don't get it."
"Well," Billy replies after taking a moment to think. "I guess it comes down to the fact that I'd rather have your Mum think that we're shagging than that I used you and didn't care when you got sick. From my perspective, she's at least somewhat okay with us being more than best mates, or she wouldn't have called me."
"I hadn't thought of it that way," Dom admits.
"Stop worrying," Billy requests. "And c'mere."
Before Dom can protest, he's drawn into the circle of Billy's arms, his head tucked under Billy's chin.
"You're warm," Billy comments with a smile.
"If you were trying to avoid my Mum, you'd be hiding out in bed, too," Dom retorts, and then chuckles. "In retrospect, not a very well thought out plan, yeah?"
Billy smiles against Dom's hair. "I think you would've figured something out, sooner or later, or called me for reinforcements."
"True."
"Besides," Billy says softly, "There are worse things in life than having your Mum think that you've fallen in love with your best mate."
"Love?" Dom repeats, pulling back just enough so he can meet Billy's gaze with inquisitive blue-grey eyes.
A long, quiet moment passes, a tender smile turning up the corners of Billy's mouth. "I just meant that I think if we were shagging, it would be because we loved each other. If wouldn't be just sex."
"Yeah," Dom agrees, then curls back into Billy's warmth as he yawns, and closes his eyes.
Billy listens as Dom's breathing gradually becomes deep and even, and it's only after he's sure that Dom is fast asleep that he presses a lingering kiss to the younger man's hair.
And he tells himself Dom didn't notice that he almost confessed the one secret he's kept from his best mate.
And he wonders if perhaps Aureen isn't quite as blind as her son.
* ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *
fin
Author:
dylan_dufresnePairing: BB/DM
Rating: PG-ish. Wee warning of medical squick.
Summary: Things aren’t always as they appear.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it's my drug of choice.
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. This is my imagination at work.
A/N: D will be posted on Wednesday.
Previous: A | B
Billy tells himself he's wrong.
He's reading too much into Dom's lingering hug.
Dom's an affectionate bloke, especially with Billy, them being best mates and all. They've spent several lazy days together, staying up late, drinking too much and eating takeaway and now Dom has to reluctantly bid him adieu; return to Manchester for an extended visit with his Mum and Dad.
Throughout the visit, Dom's mood has been light, his body language relaxed, and Billy hadn't thought anything was amiss until the parting hug. It's just a fraction too long, the embrace the tiniest bit tighter than usual. Convincing himself that he's being ridiculous, Billy mentally shrugs it off, smiling and waving as Dom drives away.
It's only four days later and Billy's in the kitchen, making his morning porridge when the phone rings, and he swallows a yawn as he answers it.
"Good morning, Billy. I hope I didn't wake you."
"Aureen. This is an unexpected surprise," Billy replies, firmly shoving the nagging doubt to the back of his mind. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm sorry for calling like this," Aureen says, the discomfort clear in her voice. "I know you're very busy, but I just had to try. I have to do something."
"I'm never too busy to talk to you," Billy tells her, his tone gentle. "If there's something I can do, please tell me."
"Well, I don't know what your schedule at the theatre is like these days," the older woman continues, talking faster as though she's trying to get the words out before she loses her nerve. "Dom said you were in rehearsals now, for a play, but if you have even a wee bit of spare time, I know he'd love to see you."
Now utterly confused, Billy's mouth refuses to work, his mind racing, trying to put the puzzle together - even though he only has half the pieces.
"He's having a rough time of it right now, and I thought maybe you could come see him," Aureen adds. "Nobody knows him better than you. Maybe you can help him."
"I don't understand," Billy says finally, scratching absently at the scruff on his chin. "He seemed fine when he was here. He didn't mention anything."
"Oh my God," Aureen whispers. "He didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?" Billy asks quickly, confusion giving way to panic.
"He got home from visiting you, but he wasn't feeling very well, and went to bed early. I thought he was just overtired, but the next afternoon he came to me, concerned, and I insisted that he get it checked out," Aureen reveals. "I knew it had to be bothering him quite a bit, since, well-"
"What? Billy inquires softly.
"It was just a bit of discomfort at first, soreness in his lower back that could've been attributed to the drive, but it got worse. I-"
"He saw a doctor?"
"He was examined. They drew blood, ran some tests and it turns out he has a rather nasty bacterial infection."
"He's in hospital?"
"No, he's home, but rather uncomfortable and will be for a while."
"I'll be there later today," Billy tells her. "Hopefully this afternoon."
"Billy-"
"Thank you for calling me, Aureen," Billy interrupts gently. "Really. I mean it."
"I'll have a room ready for you," she promises. "Thank you."
As promised, Billy rings the front bell at the Monaghan home just before half three, gnawing on his lower lip and then trying to smile when Aureen answers the door.
"Hello Billy. How was the drive?"
"Okay," he replies. "How is he?"
"He's napping at the moment; upstairs," Aureen reports. "Go on up."
Nodding gratefully at the older woman, Billy tightens his grip on the handle of the duffle bag he packed, in the event he ends up staying a few days, and hurries up to the second floor, to Dom's room. Thick curtains have been drawn over the window, long shadows falling across the bed, the coverlet nearly obscuring Dom's face completely. It's as Billy is closing the door behind him as quietly as possible that Dom shifts, stretches and finally opens his eyes. Pushing himself up onto his elbows and yawning, Dom looks around the room, only to freeze when he realizes he's not alone.
"Hi," Billy says softly. "How are you feeling?"
He starts to close the distance between them, only to stop short when Dom's gaze fills with distress.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" he gasps.
"Your Mum called," Billy explains as he sets his bag down on the floor next to the bureau. "She thought you'd like a visitor while you're recuperating."
"Oh no," Dom moans as he flops back on the mattress and coves his face with his hands. "This isn't happening."
Taken aback by Dom's reaction to his presence, Billy hesitates, and then continues across the room, perching gingerly on the edge of Dom's bed.
"You don't want me here?" he asks uncertainly. "Your Mum-"
"What did she tell you?" Dom demands as he uncovers his eyes to meet Billy's gaze.
"That you weren't feeling well when you got back from Glasgow, and that you saw a doctor the next afternoon; said you have an infection."
"That's it?"
Billy frowns in confusion. "Aye. What's going on? And why didn't you say anything? If you-"
"I thought I was just tired," Dom interjects to explain. "Too much booze and not enough sleep. Getting old or some shite."
"So you've got an infection. Why wouldn't you want me to know that?"
"Mum didn't say give you any details about it," Dom says flatly. "Did she?"
"No, but-"
Sighing heavily, Dom scrubs a hand over his face. "Fuck."
"Bloody hell, Dom. Just tell me."
"It kinda hurt to piss when I got up that morning," Dom reveals awkwardly. "Not a lot, but some. And then my back started hurting. I got home, and was up four times in the night, thinking I had to go. And it was getting a lot harder to piss."
"Oh." Eyeing the coverlet in the area of Dom's pelvis, Billy swallows. "So the infection is . . ."
"According to the doctor, I have a urinary tract infection and acute bacterial prosta-something," Dom explains, a hot blush staining his cheeks. "I'm on antibiotics until it clears up."
"Okay, so it's a wee bit embarrassing, but-"
"It's not that, Bills," Dom tells him wearily. "Apparently it's not all that common for someone my age, and the doctor told me that it sometimes occurs following-"
Suddenly the volume of Dom's voice drops to a mumble, causing Billy to lean forward in an effort to hear him better.
"What?"
"Two blokes shagging!" Dom blurts out, and then winces at the confession.
Frozen in shock, Billy can only stare at Dom, mentally putting all the puzzle pieces together. Now it all makes sense.
"Bloody buggering fuck," he whispers. "Your Mum- She thinks-"
"She's a nurse, Bills," Dom says, utterly dejected. "She hasn't come out and asked me, but there's been enough hints that I think odds are pretty good that she thinks-"
"That we did nothing but shag, and now-" Groaning, Billy covers his face with his hands. "That's why she was so upset that you didn't tell me."
"And that's why I didn't want you to come."
"But we didn't!" Billy says, pulling his hands away. "Shag, I mean."
"I know that, but if I try to explain, it's only going to make things worse."
Billy arches an eyebrow. "How?"
"Me thinks he doth protest too much," Dom quotes miserably. "The more I deny it, the more it looks like-"
"We're guilty as bleeding sin," Billy finishes. "And when she called, I dropped everything, to come see you. We're fucked."
"Completely."
Exhaling a heavy sigh, Billy purses his lips in thought for a moment. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay," Dom reports. "Pills make me tired, but I prefer them, considering the alternative."
"I'm almost afraid to ask," Billy comments warily, inviting Dom's explanation.
"They were going to shove a tube up my-" Unable to say the words aloud, Dom can only make hand gestures. "So I could piss."
"Whoa!" Billy gasps, unconsciously covering himself.
"I know, but that's still better than if they had to operate," Dom says with a shudder.
"Please don’t share anymore, Dom."
"Hey, I'm the one who's stuck here, with my Mum thinking that my best mate fucked me up the arse so much that-"
"You're right," Billy interrupts. "Sorry."
"So what are we going to do?"
Rubbing at his tired eyes, Billy thinks for a moment and then heels off his shoes. "First, you're going to get some rest, and I'm going to take a nap. We'll figure out what to do about your Mum after that."
"Okay," Dom replies, nodding slowly.
"Move over."
"What?"
"Move over," Billy repeats, rising off the bed and pulling back the coverlet.
"But, Bills-"
"What?" he asks, looking up at the younger man after unzipping his trousers.
"Mum already thinks we're shagging. If she catches us sleeping in the same bed, it's more proof that she's right."
"Well, if you don't want me here, I can-"
"I didn't say that," Dom interrupts quickly, and then averts his eyes. "I just- I don't want to do anything that'll makes things worse, or make you look bad. You're my best mate, and I don't want anyone to think badly of you."
Smiling gently, Billy reaches over and affectionately tousles Dom's already mussed hair. "I appreciate it, Dom, but I'm fine. You don't have to worry about that. Now shift your arse. I'm knackered."
Obediently, Dom slides over to make room for Billy on the mattress, and once Billy has removed his trousers, he joins Dom, tugging the coverlet over both of their bodies. Once settled into a comfortable position, Billy looks over at Dom, noticing a furrow between his eyebrows.
"What?"
"I thought you'd be- I don't know. That's why I didn't call," Dom explains hesitantly. "I was going to handle it by myself. Or try to. Now you're here, and don't seem to mind. I don't get it."
"Well," Billy replies after taking a moment to think. "I guess it comes down to the fact that I'd rather have your Mum think that we're shagging than that I used you and didn't care when you got sick. From my perspective, she's at least somewhat okay with us being more than best mates, or she wouldn't have called me."
"I hadn't thought of it that way," Dom admits.
"Stop worrying," Billy requests. "And c'mere."
Before Dom can protest, he's drawn into the circle of Billy's arms, his head tucked under Billy's chin.
"You're warm," Billy comments with a smile.
"If you were trying to avoid my Mum, you'd be hiding out in bed, too," Dom retorts, and then chuckles. "In retrospect, not a very well thought out plan, yeah?"
Billy smiles against Dom's hair. "I think you would've figured something out, sooner or later, or called me for reinforcements."
"True."
"Besides," Billy says softly, "There are worse things in life than having your Mum think that you've fallen in love with your best mate."
"Love?" Dom repeats, pulling back just enough so he can meet Billy's gaze with inquisitive blue-grey eyes.
A long, quiet moment passes, a tender smile turning up the corners of Billy's mouth. "I just meant that I think if we were shagging, it would be because we loved each other. If wouldn't be just sex."
"Yeah," Dom agrees, then curls back into Billy's warmth as he yawns, and closes his eyes.
Billy listens as Dom's breathing gradually becomes deep and even, and it's only after he's sure that Dom is fast asleep that he presses a lingering kiss to the younger man's hair.
And he tells himself Dom didn't notice that he almost confessed the one secret he's kept from his best mate.
And he wonders if perhaps Aureen isn't quite as blind as her son.
fin
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Still loving this :D
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Thanks. :)
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*giggles*
Love these two, so much. Thanks, Dylan!
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Thank you.
From: (Anonymous)
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Fun and sweet love matching to perfection!
And I love the way you portray Mrs. Monaghan. She must be like that in RL, a talkative, good-hearted busybody, me thinks...
Love, Ceci
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I'm rather fond of Mrs.M, as you may have noticed.
From: (Anonymous)
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How couldn´t I, when she is the Mum of someone so "beautiful in his imperfections, like a wild flower...so unique and special..."
And of course I love serious, reserved Mr. Monaghan, too...
Love, Ceci
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I wanted it to go on and on - I would love to find out what happened after they woke up and together and talked to Dom's mom or not, and try to act normal eventhough there is more than 'normal' going on between them...hehehehe
(Maybe use another letter for a sequel??)
Anywhooooo just wishful thinking...I know your not taking special requests or anything, but...
Thank you so much for bringing these lovely Monaboyd stories to us!!! Can't wait till Wednesday!
Have a good one!!!
Ta!
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Thanks muchly. :)
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"Please don't share anymore, Dom"
That line just cracked me up. I'm easily amused today!
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Thank you.
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Speaking of more where can I find parts A and B?
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Links to all fics can be found on my Master List (http://dylan-dufresne.livejournal.com/32406.html).
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Thanks muchly. :)
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Love, Ceci
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Fantastic job, as always! I just now noticed these were being posted every other day, so I had a bit of catching up to do.
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I'm trying to post Mon Wed Fri, but it all depends on how the writing goes. I'm currently working on L.
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Muse seems to like hurting Dom, but lets me fix it with Billy.
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And this just made me melt: A long, quiet moment passes, a tender smile turning up the corners of Billy's mouth. "I just meant that I think if we were shagging, it would be because we loved each other. If wouldn't be just sex."
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Thank you. :)
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lol
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Yeh, it's official, Dom's mother ROCKS. XD
<3 Great one!
RG
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Thanks so much. :)