Title: Stolen Moments
Author: desire_billy
Pairing: Billy/Dom
Rating: R
Feedback: Please
Author's Notes: Some of this was inspired by the BBC interview Billy and Dom gave before the Oscars. Summary: Billy and Dom have missed each other. YES, another Oscar’s story! Well, sort of!

Too many months had past that Billy had not been in the company of Dominic Monaghan. Too many miles and too much history separated their lives now.

There had been a time when they would not, could not, go more than a few hours without seeing or at least talking to one another. But that ended almost a year ago. Their relationship had ended on a friendly mutual basis. Each understood the other’s reasons for the separation. Dom felt his career would flourish in LA, and Billy was rooted to Scotland. They loved each other, they needed each other, but they also understood each other.

Dom knew Billy would NEVER be happy in the states, and Billy KNEW Dom was itching to live in LA. Neither could hold the other back or push him into something. Both had gotten on with their lives. The phone calls and the visits were frequent in the beginning of the separation, but soon had dwindled to every few weeks if that.

Billy had started a relationship with a woman he cared deeply for, and Dom, well, Dom had started numerous relationships with women he knew the first names of! Dom was enjoying his freedom and fame.

They missed each other. Some nights were harder than others. Something would set it off; something on TV or a song; a phrase or a favorite film. Dom had trouble accepting Billy had fallen in love with someone else so quickly, but he soon realized no matter what he felt, he was in LA and Billy was not. He coped as well as he could. Still, when they spoke on the phone or the rare occasion they actually saw each other, Billy’s new relationship was not brought up.

There entailed the problem with the Oscar’s ceremony. Billy really wanted to bring her. Dom knew this. The entire fellowship knew this. Enter Sean Astin to the rescue.

A few weeks before the Oscar’s Sean called Billy. He told Billy he had spoken to the other hobbits, and they were tossing around the idea of it just being the guys. No wives or girlfriends.

“This will be last time us guys will be together for these movies. We want it to be just ‘the guys’. Christine is good with it. Elijah and Dom have both agreed. What do you say?”

Billy laughed as he said, “Dom!? Dom wouldn’t bring a date to a nationally televised event Sean! Ruin his playboy image.”

Sean sighed, “Billy. What do you say?”

Billy agreed. He was only going to be in the states for a few days anyway.

She took it well, of course. She understood. She knew about Billy and Dom’s past, to a point. She felt she had nothing to worry about.

Billy called Dom a few days before he was scheduled to arrive in LA. He had to leave a message on Dom’s machine. ‘Dom, hey it’s Bill. Listen I spoke with Sean, and I agree it’s sounds like a great idea just the guys at the ceremony! Um, I was thinking maybe I could stay with you the few nights I’m there. I arrive Friday night in LAX at 3pm gate 42. If you don’t show, I’ll just grab a cab and stay with Lij.” Billy paused for a moment and then added, “Dom, I hope to see you there. I miss you.”

~

Dom staggered into his place around 3am. He had been out with a few of his mates and quite a few pretty young ladies. He had collected phone numbers, drank enough to be contently drunk and met a director who was interested in working with him. Dom walked happily into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water and was leaning against the counter thinking about the director and one particular young lady when he saw the flashing red light on his answering machine.

He cocked his head wondering who it could be as he pushed the button. At the sound of Billy’s voice his smiled faded away.

Dom had not really thought about the Oscar ceremony. What was Billy talking about ‘just the guys’? Sean had given him that idea? Did Christine know about this? Dom was trying to figure this out when it hit him what else Billy had said.

He hit the rewind button and listened again. “Um, I was thinking maybe I could stay with you the few nights I’m there…… Dom, I hope to see you there. I miss you

Dom stared at the machine as if waiting for Billy to say he was just joking, or perhaps Dom misheard him. He played the message 3 more times. Each time his heart hurt more. Billy in his house. Just the two of them, again. It had been so long. It would be so different.

Dom sat at the breakfast table trying to make sense of what Billy had said. He wanted to stay with Dom. He missed Dom. Dom laid his head on the cool table top and whispered, “I miss you too, Billy.”

~

Friday arrived and Dom was scared. He had made up his mind that Billy would stay with him. They were old friends. He would enjoy spending time with Billy. They would be very busy and would really only be alone for a few hours in the evening to sleep.

Dom did his best to push the memories of what he and Billy used to do in those few hours when they lived together in New Zealand.

Dom had his place cleaned, new sheets had been bought for the quest bed, and porridge had been bought and placed in the cupboard.

By noon Friday, Dom found himself staring at the cupboards and wondering if the porridge was over doing it.

By 12:30 he had thrown it away five times only to retrieve it and place it back in the cupboard.

At 12:45 he got in his car and headed for the airport.

Twice he seriously thought about turning around.

Once he pulled over and tried to think of a good reason not to turn around.

He found a parking spot at the airport at 2:30. He walked into the airport and ran to the arriving area for gate 42. He paced and wrung his hands as he waited for the plane to land. He watched as the plane landed, and passengers began to unload.

Dom noticed he had positioned himself behind a rather large pillar as he looked for Billy. He laid his head against the pillar and closed his eyes wondering if he had made a mistake. He still loved Billy, and was worried this would wreck what progress he had made in getting over him.

He opened his eyes to look for Billy, and found him. He was standing within inches of Dom smirking. “Late night mate?”

Dom smiled and at that moment knew he had not made a mistake. Dom and Billy embraced each other as they laughed.

Billy pulled back slightly and whispered into Dom’s ear, “Missed you mate.”

Dom pulled him in for another and tighter embrace.

~

After collecting Billy’s luggage, signing a few autographs and posing for a few photos with fans, they loaded Dom's car and drove towards Dom's house. Dom asked, “So how long do I have the pleasure of your company Mr. Boyd?”

Billy smiled and replied, “Till Tuesday. I have plans tomorrow night to meet with Peter Weir and that group, Sunday of course will be Oscars all day and night, Monday I do a few talk shows then I fly out Tuesday Morning.”

Dom glanced over at him and said, “You don’t need a place to stay you need a place just to change your clothes.”

Billy felt somewhat hurt. He wanted to spend time with Dom, but was afraid his feelings would betray him. “I know, Dom. But I was hoping maybe we could do something tonight.”

Dom felt angry. Why had Billy wanted to stay at Dom’s if all he wanted was one night? His mind screamed at him to tell Billy he had plans for the night; that he had a date. Dom could feel Billy’s eyes upon him. He knew that look. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Billy looking at him softly, hopefully, wantonly.

“Sure, Bills, that would be great.” Fuck! Dom’s mouth had betrayed him once again!

They drove in silence for a while enjoying each other’s presence. As Dom pulled off the freeway, his entire body tensed as Billy placed his hand on Dom’s knee. Dom instinctively pulled away from Billy. Billy pulled his hand back and said, “Sorry, Dom. My mistake. Some habits just seem hard to break.”

Dom couldn’t think of anything brilliant to say so he just nodded and felt the fool.

Twenty minutes later they pulled into Dom’s driveway. Both men jumped from the car trying to escape the awkwardness that had consumed them. Dom helped unload Billy unload his things.

Billy had stayed at Dom’s in the past, so he knew where the guest bedroom was. Of course, the last time he stayed there they were still lovers, so he had slept in Dom’s room.

Dom walked behind Billy on the way to the guestroom to deposit Billy’s things as they past Dom’s room. Billy stopped abruptly as if the memories of the last time he was in there had taken hold of him and slammed him into reality. He stared at the bed that had the same duvet cover as the last time they made love. He looked over to the window where he could remember holding Dom in his arms as they watched a rainstorm together. He smiled as he saw the coffee stain on the carpet by the bed that he left one morning trying to be cute but instead looking clumsy.

Dom followed Billy’s trail of vision. He nudged Billy in the knee with the suitcase. “Oh yeah, I’m still waiting for you to clean that up.” Billy laughed and made his way to the guestroom.

 ~

They made dinner together while drinking a bottle of wine that Dom had discovered months ago in a small specialty shop. He had gone back after drinking that first bottle and bought seven more.

It felt almost like old times. They cooked, drank, sang to the music playing, made fun of each other and laughed. As they ate they talked about the screenplay they had started and never finished.

“We should try that again, you know,” Billy said with a slight slur.

Dom laughed, “Hmm, it was really good. I have it saved in my computer. Do you want to take a look?”

Billy jumped up and said, “Yes, let’s. Ah, but first we need more wine!”

Dom stood and grabbed Billy’s arm pulling him to the den. “I’ll get it in a minute. Let’s pull up the screenplay first.”

Billy walked along with Dom saying, “Fine, but don’t forget the wine. I really like that wine.”

Dom giggled and shook his head as he sat at his desk. “I can tell!”

Billy sat in the armchair next to the desk and watched Dom as he tried to remember where he had filed their screenplay. After a few failed attempts, Billy stood up and pulled Dom out of his seat.

“Go get me the wine. I’LL find the damn thing. You never could file things right in the computer.”

Dom nodded in acknowledgment, “True. OK, be right back.”

Dom went to the kitchen and found another bottle of wine. He stood there opening it and thinking how familiar this was to him. A quite night with Billy having a few drinks, laughing and working on their screenplay. Suddenly Dom felt a tug at his heart. He closed his eyes and told himself over and over that he was not going to get upset. They were just friends now. He needed to enjoy this short amount of time he had with Billy.

Dom took a deep breath, grabbed the wine and walked back to the den. As he entered the den he saw Billy hunched over the keyboard reading the screen. Dom chuckled to himself. Billy was always better on the computer than he. “You found it! Where the hell did I save it?”

Billy turned and looked at Dom. The look on Billy’s face told him Billy was not reading the screenplay. Billy’s eyes were glazed with moisture and his mouth was slightly opened. The space on his forehead that creased when he was upset was creased.

Dom walked to the computer and saw what Billy had found. “Shit, Billy. Shit.” Dom sat on the armchair and handed the wine to Billy.

Billy took the bottle and said, “Perhaps we should switch to something stronger.”

Dom couldn’t help but smirk as he said, “Hell no, I already opened it.”

Billy smiled as he filled their glasses, completely filled them. “What is this Dom?”

Dom sat back and drank. “It was something you were never meant to see. You know the old saying ‘Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send’. Well, there you are. Shit Billy, I wrote that damn near a year ago. Just venting I guess.”

Billy closed his eyes as he drank the wine. ‘It never ceases to amaze me how much alike we are sometimes Dom.”

Dom looked at Billy and asked, “What do you mean?”

Billy opened his eyes and looked into Dom’s, “I’ve written you letters never meaning to send also.”

Both men sat there looking at each other for a moment not knowing what to say. Perhaps knowing there really was nothing they could say. Dom stood up and walked to the window. He had a wonderful view of the ocean. The moon was full and lit up the waves as they crashed onto the sand.

Billy looked back to the screen and read the letter again:

My Dearest Bill;

    I have come to the conclusion I hate you. I hate you for being you. I hate you for being so incredibly Billy Boyd. I hate you for haunting my thoughts and dreams with your smile, your eyes, your voice. I hate you for having made me so damn complete when we were together. I hate you for making me feel so damn empty now.
    You allowed me to move away from you. You allowed me the room to be me. You allowed me to possibly make the worst mistake of my life. You allowed me to loose the only person I will ever truly love. You allowed me to make my own decision. You know I suck at that!
    You had to be so damn right. You had to be so damn giving and understanding that you never tried to talk me out of leaving. You never tried to talk me into coming back because you knew I would, and then I would always wonder. You were right. You were typically Billy.
    Now you have moved on, and I’m all alone and afraid. I guess I thought you would pine away for me forever. Maybe I thought I would fail miserably here and you would take me back. Looking around at things now, that seems to have been my plan. But you didn’t read the rulebook. You fell out of love with me, and into love with another.
    I hate you. I miss you. I need you. I love you so much, Billy. I hate you so much, Billy.

Dominic

Billy wanted to walk to Dom and wrap in his arms, but he knew that was not the answer. No matter what they may still feel for each other, there were too many miles between them. Neither willing to move, neither willing to give away there dreams and lifestyles.

Dom glared at the ocean. He blamed the ocean for his separation from Billy. Because of all that water he had was not closer to Billy. He was not there the day Billy met her. He was not there to distract him from her.

“Dom?”

“Yeah, Bills?”

“Do you really hate me?” Billy voice trembled ever so slightly.

“Yes, Billy, yes I do. And I always will. I will never hate anyone like I hate you.”

Dom barley could get the words out. Emotion choked him as it formed a lump in his throat.

“Dom?”

“Yeah?”

“I’ll never hate anyone like I hated you either.”

Both men smiled.

TO BE CONTINUED

From: [identity profile] broken-rook.livejournal.com


-squeaks- ASDFGHJ!!! No! You can't drop it right there! Not a cliffhanger, but agh!!

GUH. guhguhguh. I'm smiling like an idiot at the lovely bittersweetness of this splendid fic. ^_^

From: [identity profile] corpset.livejournal.com


Is there anyway for you to post your Billy/Dom-fics directly into my Memorys? We really should look into that, it would save me a lot of work.. :)

*hugs*

From: [identity profile] kitten-of-rain.livejournal.com


AHHHHH! What?! *hits screen*

I need more! please... more...

ahem. *sits and waits impatiently.

From: [identity profile] moody-girl.livejournal.com


Holy crap! That letter... just... ugh! Jesus! Hurry with part 2 please!

From: [identity profile] fy-sanctuary.livejournal.com


“I’ll never hate anyone like I hated you either.”

Past tense... u.u Either way, you've got me interested in the next chapter.

From: [identity profile] fy-sanctuary.livejournal.com


Thanks for the comment/reminder. With how many fics get posted on this com, I could get lost! (([ish new]))

From: [identity profile] el-erzulie.livejournal.com


You cheeky mongrel. *glowers* I want part two! This hurts my little wibbly monaboyd heart, but I love it so. It's a very good read and it's great there's tension... you need that, not just plain fluff. Plus, so much inspiration on the red carpet. There was some tenseness eh?

From: [identity profile] el-erzulie.livejournal.com


Shit! Don't tell me that, I'm off to work! *bawls* You terrible thing. But your icon is cute so I can probably forgive you. :) However, I hope Billeh Thighs is still around!

From: [identity profile] zahz87.livejournal.com


WAH!!! God i love the way you write Monaboyd, you write is so damn well!

From: [identity profile] arabella-o.livejournal.com


Some nights were harder than others. Something would set it off; something on TV or a song; a phrase or a favorite film.

I like that idea a lot. ::Fights off the evil Drabble monster.::

I especially liked the "I'll never hate anyone like I hated you, either."

Although the past tense did not escape my notice....

From: [identity profile] nightimedreams.livejournal.com


I love this so much... I love your writing...
Hope you don't mind i'm friending you.
.