Title: The Pain of Love-Chapter Seventeen (of Twenty)
Pairing: Billy/Dom, mild Billy/Elijah
Rating: R for language
Summary: For a night at the club, some 'innocent' dancing sets off a course of events
Content Warning: Physical abuse. Do not say I didn't warn you and remember this is fiction. I wouldn't wish this situation on my worst enemy. There will be character deaths upcoming.
Disclaimer: Yeah, right. This happened, and I have bridge in Brooklyn to sell ya!
Feedback: Please? ::begs::

Previous chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

Thanks to my betas, [livejournal.com profile] cera_lari, [livejournal.com profile] moonfairyhime, and [livejournal.com profile] aire_blair!!! You guys ROCK!

Chapter Seventeen

Billy woke up and tried to stretch but found himself trapped under Dominic again. He managed to worm his way free from Dominic’s grip. He perched himself on the side of the bed and gazed down at his boyfriend. He’d begun to feel more like a possession of Dominic’s than a boyfriend. Dominic controlled his every move, his every breath. Billy was used to it. It was what he had lived with before he’d left, what he lived with now. He looked over at the clock. Dominic had an audition in a little over two hours. He crawled over Dominic and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. “Dommie, wake up, love,” he muttered in his ear.

Dominic groaned and buried his face in his pillow. “What?” he muttered.

“You’re audition, love. It’s in two hours.” Billy brushed back Dominic’s hair and placed a kiss on the side of his head.

“Fucking hell,” Dominic said as he sat up, knocking Billy back. “And you’re just now waking me up?”

“Sorry,” Billy mumbled as he rolled off the bed. “I’ll go make breakfast, ok?”

“You’d better,” Dominic grumbled as he made his way to the shower.

Billy sighed as he walked to the kitchen. He prepared some pancakes for Dominic, making just a few pieces of toast for himself. He knew if Sean or Elijah were there, they would’ve forced food down his throat until he threw up, but he wasn’t in the mood for food again.

Dominic walked into the room, smelling like soap and peaches. “What’d you make?”

“Pancakes.” Billy gestured at Dominic’s plate with the spatula.

“Lovely.” He kissed Billy on the cheek and sat down at the table. Dominic watched as Billy nibbled at his toast. “You aren’t having any?”

Billy shook his head. “No. They’re all for you. I’ll make myself something later.”

Dominic frowned. “I’m worried about you is all, Billy. You’re so skinny. I’m afraid I’m going to crush you one of these nights.”

Billy looked at his toast. “I’m sorry I’ve worried you. I’m just...just not hungry is all.”

Dominic stood up and walked over to Billy. “Why not, love?” He put his finger under Billy’s chin and raised his head until their eyes met. “You can tell me.”

Billy sniffled and tried to fightt his tears but couldn’t. He fell into Dominic’s arms and sobbed. “I’m sorry, Dom. I feel like...like such a worthless person. I’m...I’m not good enough for you.”

Dominic gently ran his hand up and down Billy’s back. “Don’t talk like that, Billy. I need you to be here when I get home, ok?” He placed a kiss on Billy’s forehead. “Eat something.” He pulled away. “I have to get going. I’ll see you in a few hours.” He reached over and wiped away Billy’s tears. “I love you, Billy. Remember that. While you might be worthless to everyone else, you aren’t to me.” He kissed Billy on the cheek and quickly left the house.

Billy smiled before making himself some pancakes. Dominic wanted him to eat. So he must be worried about him. Billy sat down and quickly ate three pancakes. Halfway through washing the dishes, the phone rang.

“Hello?” Billy said, balancing the phone between his ear and his shoulder.

“Billy, it’s...it’s Sean.”

“Oh, hey, Seanie. What’s up?” Billy washed out a cup and placed it on the counter.

“Nothing. Just calling to make sure you’re ok. I haven’t talked to you since...since...”

“Since I was shot,” Billy whispered. He abandoned the dishes and walked into the living room

“Yeah. Look, I’m getting together with Orli and Lij for lunch. We’d like you to join us.”

Billy sighed. “Seanie, if this is an attempt to get me to leave Dom, tell me now.”

“Well, kinda but...” Sean sighed. “Look, we just want you to be happy and...well, I promise not to bring it up. Can’t say the same for Lij or Orli though.”

“I’ll come, but the minute I think you guys are trying anything...”

“Deal. We’ll pick you up in an hour.”

Billy hung up the phone. In a way, he was glad he was getting together with his friends. It had been a long time since they’d just hung out together with no worries over their heads.

When they pulled up, Orlando hopped out of the car and pulled him into a hug but said nothing. Billy could tell by the look in Elijah’s eyes that he wanted to say something. Billy smiled at Elijah and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

Billy had one of his best days in a long time. He laughed harder than he had in months. The four of them had fun just like they had in New Zealand. Dominic wasn’t mentioned the entire time. They spent several hours just talking.

“So, Billy, any movie offers lately?” Orlando asked as they sat in a local café.

Billy shrugged. “None that I liked. Got a couple of plays lined up though.”

“Great to hear, mate. Let me know. I’ll come and see one of ‘em.” Orlando looked at his watch. “I gotta get going. Kate’s waiting for me.”

Sean nodded and they paid the bill. They dropped Orlando off at his place before driving over to Dominic and Billy’s.

Billy visibly cringed when he saw Dominic’s car in the driveway. He knew he was in for it. He was supposed to be home, not out with friends. Home washing the dishes and making dinner. “Thanks,” he said, trying to sound as cheerful as he could.

Elijah grabbed his hand and pulled him into a hug. “Be safe, Billy,” he whispered.

Billy nodded and walked into the house. He looked around quickly for any sign of Dominic. When his lover didn’t come tearing down the stairs in a fit of rage, Billy sighed in relief. He went to the kitchen to finish up with the dishes. He didn’t know where Dominic was, but he was sure he’d find out soon enough.

A pair of arms slipped around his waist and pulled him away form the sink. “Where have you been?” Dominic’s rough voice said in his ear.

“Sean called. He wanted to hang out so I went with him, Lij and Orli to lunch. Sorry if I worried you.”

“And you didn’t think to leave a note?” Dominic asked a bit louder this time.

“I’m...I’m sorry, Dom.” Billy hung his head. Everyone was mad at him it seemed. His friends because he wouldn’t leave Dominic and Dominic, well, he was always mad at Billy and didn’t seem to have a reason.

“Damn it, Billy!” Dominic exclaimed as he turned Billy around and slammed him up against the sink. “You are asking for me to leave you, for me to kick you out.”

Billy shook his head. “No. I want to be with you.” He was at the point where he wasn’t sure he believed that, if he wanted to be with Dominic out of love or fear. He didn’t fear for his life anymore, he feared for his friends if they continued to try and help him. He didn’t know what Dominic would do to them, now that he didn’t even want Billy to go out with them.

“Good to hear.” Dominic ran a finger down Billy’s cheek. His face turned serious for a moment, his anger and hatred gone. “I truly love you, Billy. Despite what I say and do.” He leaned in and kissed Billy softly. “Believe me.”

Billy swallowed before looking into Dominic’s eyes. “I believe you, Dom.”

Dominic took his head. “Come to bed, Billy.”

“Dom, I---” Billy started to protest. It was only five o’clock and he didn’t feel like having sex.

Dominic grabbed Billy roughly by the wrist. The same one he’d bruised years before, broken years before. He twisted it, stopping just short of breaking it again. “Come to bed,” he ordered.

Billy struggled to pull his wrist free. He was willing to go with Dominic, but he didn’t want to end up in the hospital.

Dominic apparently didn’t care where Billy ended up. He backhanded Billy across the face, sending the smaller man to the floor before pulling him up by the arm. He dug his fingers into Billy’s shoulders. “Fine. Make us some dinner.” He shoved Billy towards the stove before stalking out of the room.

Through his tears, Billy managed to make them some dinner. He loaded Dominic’s plate, but put very little on his. He just wasn’t hungry. During lunch, he’d actually eaten quite a bit, but now his depression had returned and he just wasn’t in the mood.

Dominic eagerly ate his dinner. He looked over at Billy’s still full plate. “This is good, Bills.” He cocked his head to the side. “You don’t want any?”

“I...I had a big lunch.” Billy picked at his food.

“You sure?”

Billy nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Dom reached out and took his hand. “Let’s go the club.”

They drove to a near-by club they had gone to before. A few of the regulars greeted them, but the expression on Dom’s face caused most of them to look away. Despite the somewhat early hour, the club was busy.

Billy was surprised to see Sean and Elijah there. He was even more surprised that Dominic eagerly went over to join them. Dominic rarely wanted anything to do with any cast members anymore.

“Hullo, mates!” Dominic said as he sat down, pulling Billy down beside him.

“Hey, Dom,” Sean said, trying his best to hide his surprise. He exchanged a look with Orlando and Elijah. “What brings you two here?”

“Oh, thought we needed a night out.” Dominic put his arm possessively around Billy’s shoulders. “Been a bit of rough patch, ya know?” He gave Billy’s shoulder a hard squeeze. “But things are better now, right love?”

“Great,” Billy said, throwing a fake smile he knew none of them would believe.

“I’ll go get us some drinks, love.” Dominic kissed the side of Billy’s head before rising and heading over to the bar.

Billy nervously ran his hand up and down his arm, occasionally lifting up his shirt, revealing the forming bruise from Dominic’s attack just half an hour before. Further up was a bruise from the day before. Billy couldn’t remember what he had done, but it didn’t really matter anymore.

“Billy---” Elijah started.

“Don’t, Lij. Just don’t,” Billy snapped in reply. “I’m fine, ok? Drop it.”

“You aren’t fine, Billy. Stop kidding yourself,” Sean said under hushed breath. He didn’t want Dominic to walk back and find out exactly what they were talking about.

“Guys, please, just drop it. I...I just want a good night out, ok?” Billy looked over his shoulder to see if Dominic was coming. “Please?”

A loud, thumping rock beat started to play throughout the club. Elijah looked over at Billy and then at the bar. Dominic was still there, ordering drinks. Elijah had a feeling he would be back soon but decided to make a move anyways. “Billy, let’s go dance or something while we’re waiting.”

Billy looked over his shoulder towards the bar. Dominic was laughing at something the bartender had said. “Yeah, sure,” he said as he turned back. He was met with a trademark Elijah Wood smile. One that lit up his blue eyes and melted thousands of fangirls’ hearts.

Billy and Elijah moved to the middle of the dance floor. Elijah immediately reached out and hooked his fingers into Billy’s belt loops, pulling the older man close to his body. Taken by surprise, Billy fell right into Elijah’s arms. The younger man put his hands on Billy’s hips and began to dance to the music.

There were so many others dancing that no one noticed the two men dancing rather closely, looking into each other’s eyes with more than friendship on their minds. No one noticed except for one person.

Dominic turned his gaze back to the table where he had left Billy. He frowned when he saw Elijah slip his hand into Billy’s and lead him onto the dance floor. He paid for the drinks and returned the table, still watching. The anger inside him reached boiling point when he saw Elijah pull closer and put his hands on Billy. He slammed the drinks on the table, startling Sean who looked back and gave Dominic a slight smile. Dominic pulled out a chair and sat down, keeping his eyes locked on Billy and Elijah as they danced. He took angry gulps of his beer, never once breaking his stare at the dancers.

Billy stared right into Elijah’s eyes. He saw all the love and affection he’d not seen in Dominic’s eyes for a very long time. “Lij,” he whispered as he moved a little bit closer to Elijah.

Elijah smiled slightly as he pulled Billy closer. He leaned in and whispered into Billy’s ear, “When you’re ready to leave, I’m here.”

Billy wrapped his arms around Elijah’s shoulders and pulled the younger man into a hug. “I know,” he breathed into Elijah’s ear.

Neither noticed that Dominic was watching them, seething as he downed another beer, when Elijah leaned in and gave Billy a soft kiss on the cheek. When the song ended and they headed back to the table, Billy saw Dominic and the look on his face. He knew he was in for it that night. Elijah saw as well and he gave Billy’s hand a gentle squeeze as they headed back to the table.

From: [identity profile] glorfinniel.livejournal.com


Oh my God, I am SO scared of what Dom is going to do next!

In fact, I'm just scared of him. Period.

:)

From: [identity profile] crsty1961.livejournal.com


God I love Dom in real life, but your Dom I hate with a passion. I've known people who were abbused, and you are spot on about what goes on. I personaly want your Dom to eat shit and die. Please Don't let Billy get too hurt, let him find the strength to fight back.
Can't wait to see how you resolve this in the end.

From: [identity profile] ruby-took.livejournal.com


So good... it's very scary, but so well written that it's definitely good :)

“I’m worried about you is all, Billy. You’re so skinny. I’m afraid I’m going to crush you one of these nights.”

I keep thinking that if Dom doesn't kill Billy accidentally on purpose, Billy might actually starve to death.
Please don't let Billy get hurt too bad, please don't kill him (!!!).

This is a brilliant story and I'm looking forward to the next part :)

From: [identity profile] pippinsalanna.livejournal.com


Strike me down as I say it, but I'm hoping the character death is Dom. Not to say I want Dom to die, just saying I don't want Billy or Lij to die. Love how Billy is now not knowing if he stays with Dom out of love or fear. Very realistic. Have missed this story. (Feeling greedy now)

From: [identity profile] trash-puppet.livejournal.com


Ngh!

Dom is going to kill him! Dude, I'm going on holiday tomorrow and this is just going to rot my mind. In the best possible way!

Billijah is so cute <3 Waah!


From: [identity profile] id-wants-out.livejournal.com


hfs.. i so want to just kick Dom in this story, you write bastard!dom really well. :) i can't wait to see what happens, i've been reading this fic religiously :)can't wait for the next section. :)

From: [identity profile] id-wants-out.livejournal.com


It's a good thing (as convicted martha steward would say :) ) I awaite the next parts eagerly. I've also kept on your little scot series another series i so <3.
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