the gross and the pretty

[eff-reality.livejournal.com]

emetic: substance causing vomiting

Billy's never felt completely comfortable with pills--well, pills that claim to alleviate the emotional, anyway. He finds the whole concept too American. But when he'd seen all the light go out of Dom's eyes, he couldn't stand it. He had to get it back, and he didn't care how.

He should have known they wouldn't work, not because of his own preconceived shite about them, but because he knew deep down that the inner workings of Dom went far beyond that.

He wets a washcloth and wipes Dom's mouth with it, embarrassed to feel his own eyes welling up. He balls the little towel up in his fist and squeezes it as if it'll wring out his tears, too, carefully combing Dom's bangs from his forehead with his fingernails.

Dom looks too at home with his cheek resting on porcelain. "I hate you seeing me like this."

"I hate it too." Billy blinks and his eyes are wet. He finds himself more affectionate than he's ever been, and it's such a shame; he feels guilty for wasting these touches on a time like this, a time when Dom needs it most, yes, but when there's also a good chance he won't even feel it or remember it. He thinks of how expressive Dom's always been with his love by comparison, without fail, even on the few occasions when Billy's been a complete dick to him, and he feels much worse.

As if on cue, Dom reaches for Billy's three longest fingers and holds them in the palm of his hand. "What's wrong?"

"...I'm scared."

Dom raises his eyebrows.

Billy really doesn't want to finish that sentence, but because it's Dom, he can't help it. "I'm scared you won't come out of this."

Dom simply averts his gaze, as if accepting that possibility. But then a long moment later, he brings his eyes back to Billy's and manages a rueful smile. "Not to put the pressure on, but... I don't think I would if I didn't have you in my life."



diaphanous: so thin as to transmit light

It's one of those nights where Billy jerks awake at 5:15 in the morning without a clue where he is or what day it is. His eyes dart around in the near-dark, registering things: Breeze. White curtains. Ocean. Hawaii. Yes. That's it. He turns onto his side under the thin, cool sheets, and registers one more thing standing before the window. Dom.

For a moment, Billy wonders if he's dreaming, if he's not really here. Dominic spins into one of the nearly transparent drapes, wrapping himself in it like a caterpillar. He closes his eyes against the rising sun and faces the waves with a quiet smile. Yes, Billy must still be asleep, or at least halfway there.

But then he notices something else, something telling: he can see the lines of Dom's naked body through the fabric. The sharp angles of his shoulders, the playful curves of his backside. His newly tanned skin is made mocha under the material, dark chocolate in certain places, some that only Billy knows so intimately. No, this has to be real.

It doesn't go unnoticed by Billy how at peace Dominic looks, and he feels a tiny fraction of the same relief he'd gotten from his first peek at this renewed Dom at the airport just this morning. Dominic stands as sure and purposeful as he did halfway around the world, but with a hint of the cynicism and gratitude that comes from having been knocked down.

Billy'd known it would only be a matter of Dom feeling needed again--on a professional and creative level, that is. Still, there are so many sides to Dom, and it's not as if the little fucker can no longer surprise him. All throughout that year, and even since then, there's always been a chance that...

Oh, Billy doesn't want to think about that, not right now. Right now, he wants to contemplate the side that Dom is showing him at this moment, this rare, coveted, utterly feminine side. Dominic's body is lean and angular, masculinity incarnate, but when he spins out of the curtain, holds it at arm's length and bows to it like a partner, Billy half expects a pile of petticoats to materialize around his waist.

Finally, Dominic notices Billy's stare, and he pulls the curtain just around his front, a combination of Dracula and Hide-and-Seek. Billy bites his lower lip and smiles, enchanted and thankful, and extends an arm out from under the covers to beckon. The ageless, irreverent, beautiful creature he fell in love with so many years ago is back.


More this evening! Leaving work soon.

Comments

[kiltsandlollies.livejournal.com]

Oh, lovely. That second one is just glowing with gentle imagery and imagery. Excellent use of the word, excellent word pictures. Just lovely.

[eff-reality.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you so much!

[stormatdusk.livejournal.com]

half expects a pile of petticoats to materialize around his waist

gah! that was super lovely. and super.

[eff-reality.livejournal.com]

Thank you! ♥

[sandelwood]

I love diaphanous. Also these feel very much like they're in the same universe. I suspect you did that on purpose.

[eff-reality.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

They are definitely in the same universe, in my mind. However, I didn't intend for one to refer to the other; it was just something I discovered when I was pairing them together for posting. :)

[dashery.livejournal.com]

He finds himself more affectionate than he's ever been, and it's such a shame; he feels guilty for wasting these touches on a time like this, a time when Dom needs it most, yes, but when there's also a good chance he won't even feel it or remember it. He thinks of how expressive Dom's always been with his love by comparison, without fail, even on the few occasions when Billy's been a complete dick to him, and he feels much worse.

Wow. Those 2 sentences pack quite the emotional punch.

I love the two sides of the same coin feel that these two vocabbles have. Very nice.

[eff-reality.livejournal.com]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. ♥

[babydazzle.livejournal.com]

Hey, sweets.

I don't know how I missed this set, but I'm glad I was able to read it.

The first is so bittersweet, and that second one is beauty squared. :) Very loverly, milady.

[eff-reality.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much, my dear. ♥