Bedtime Story!

[juke-box-dive.livejournal.com]

Title: I don't sleep, I dream
Authors: almaviva (and kiltsandlollies)
Characters: Dominic/Billy
Word count: 3247
Notes: An AU of the AU, inclineoftrees. One of my favorite hobbies is figuring out what would happen if circumstances shifted slightly in the inclineoftrees universe.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction; the recognizable people in the story belong to themselves and have never performed the actions portrayed here. I do not know the actors nor am I associated with them in any way. If you are underage, please do not read this story. I am not making any profit from these stories, nor do I mean any harm.



Graduation day has always been a day for weird emotions for Billy--happy yet sad to see another class go out into the world, wistful at the potential for change and hope the new grads hold, relief that he'll never have to go through it again himself. Strange day. At the end of it, standing alone in his office, Billy carefully clicks closed the clasps on his briefcase, thinking that maybe he'll take himself out for a drink tonight, and then maybe out to the countryside tomorrow to clear his head. Maybe he'll drive up to Glasgow to visit his sister. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

Sitting heavily into his chair, Billy turns to look out the window, his clasped hands joined over his stomach, feeling the weirdness of the day a little more strongly than years past. He acknowledges freely that there was a favorite student who passed through the gates today for the last time--favorites happen, he knows, and he's long since stopped feeling guilty over it. That this favorite student, Dominic Monaghan, was a particular favorite is also something Billy doesn't feel guilty over. Dominic's coursework hadn't come easy to him and he'd fought for every grade, earning Billy's admiration and more. His personal life, too, had been a struggle, and yet he'd overcome the worst of it all and matured into someone Billy would have been more than happy to call a friend had Billy not been so determined to see Dominic succeed.

Perhaps, Billy thinks as he reflects on the last three years, perhaps they did come out as friends rather than just student and professor. It's at least a happy thought for a few moments. He can count on one hand the number of students who've come back for more than a recommendation letter. There's been a rare few who've stopped by to share news of their lives, show off new babies or published works. More often it's letters or emails, short missives, sometimes grateful, sometimes nearly defiant, and he's taken them all. For a minute, while he watches the sun sink lower behind the trees, Billy imagines what might become of Dominic and settles on poet, because it makes him happy to do so.

It's only the short rap on his door that disturbs Billy from his thoughts, and he jerks up, embarrassed to be caught so lost in thoughts that had long turned from the academic. He stands, turns, simultaneously reaching for the jacket he'd left draped over the back of his chair and for the chain of his banker's lamp. His come in is clipped, meaning to dissuade long, cobwebby talks from what he supposes will be another professor feeling the years slip them by with another graduating class. He's more than a little surprised when he finally looks up and see the object of his ruminations and not another ghost of these halls.

"Dom. I didn't expect to see you. I thought you'd be out celebrating with your family. You've certainly earned it."

"I'm meeting my parents and brother in a bit. They're going back to Manchester in the morning."

"You're not going with them?" Billy slides his arms through his jacket, distracting himself from noticing how lovely Dominic looks in a suit and tie. It's been well over a year since he's last seen Dominic so dressed up and then it was only a stiff and obviously new white dress shirt and a tie Billy had straightened for him moments before Dominic had walked onto a stage to accept an accolade for his poetry. Another accomplishment for a student who had never expected them and Billy hopes that Dominic's father finally feels a quarter of the pride that Billy himself has for Dominic. That thought slows Billy's hands and he finally looks properly on Dominic, giving him a smile. "You've decided to stay for the summer, then?"

"Yeah, well." Dominic shrugs his shoulders, takes another step into Billy's office and fiddles with the end of his tie. "The languages department received some additional funding for the project I was working on this last quarter so they've asked me to stay on to see it through as the leader."

"That's great. It'll be good experience and look terrific on your CV."

"Yeah, so I'll be around." Dominic takes another step, shrugs his shoulders again, and grins back at Billy.

"Congratulations, Dom. I'm really proud of you. I'm glad you came 'round to tell me."

"Well." Dominic looks down at his hands, a blush blossoming on his cheeks in a way that Billy hasn't seen him do in a long time. "I also came to ask you something else."

"Oh?" For a moment, Billy's surprised but then he remembers a conversation they'd had nearly two years ago now, the single moment in his career when he's been tempted by a student--this student--a moment he's let become engulfed and mostly forgotten in his efforts to make sure Dominic finished the education he needed and not one he didn't. They'd shared a kiss and Dominic had said something, an offer Billy doesn't really remember the exact words of now, and Billy had said something in return, what he purposely doesn't remember beyond it wasn't exactly a complete dismissal. He's embarrassed again now but this time by his excitement at the possibility that Dominic could be coming to collect. Billy turns his attention to the desk, thumbing his fingers through the papers there, heat rushing to his face.

"Yeah. You told me once that after I graduated, if I was still interested, I could finish asking you a question." Dominic takes his final step, his hands resting on the edge of Billy's desk, waiting until Billy looks up before he continues. "Do you remember?"

"I do," Billy admits, going redder until he feels the tips of his ears burn.


***


It had been a long climb to get where he is now, and Dominic's not just thinking of the tiny Greek restaurant that Billy had named to meet. As he waits, a few minutes early, which is practically unheard of for him, he drums his fingers against his thigh and tries to remember to relax--to breath. There were many days he had been sure he would have failed if not for the support Billy had given him, the friendship and mentorship. The steady hand when he had needed it most. He couldn't say when he'd fallen in love, when he'd finally admitted it to himself, though he remembers clearly the day he had first gone to Billy. When they'd first kissed. In that, as in everything, Billy had been kind, understanding, gentle and lovely. It'd done nothing to abate Dominic's growing affection but he'd been unable to do anything but respect Billy's wishes, and in doing so, gave himself time to grow-up. Thinking of all that had happened--and almost happened--over the last year or so, he knows he's a better man for it.

But now, he'd actually been surprised that Billy agreed to a date and even more so when he suggested lunch today, the earliest that Dominic could make it after seeing his family off at the train station. That Billy had seemed pleased that Dominic had come back to ask, had waited until the precise moment when Baskerville no longer held any sway over a potential relationship made it better. Made it seem right. In the week or so leading up to his graduation, Dominic thought maybe he could wait a bit longer after having waited a year, but now, his face brightening as he sees Billy crossing the street, he sees the wisdom of Billy's decision and his own.

"I haven't kept you waiting, have I?"

"No, I just got here myself," Dominic lies and grins when Billy sees through it, grins broader when Billy rests his hand flat against his back as they turn to go inside. He fights with himself not to lean into it, but once they're seated across from each other at a tiny table for two, it's impossible to keep his hands to himself. That Billy doesn't seem to mind, that Billy seems just as eager for the way their knees bump against one another's or how they reach for one another for emphasis as they talk and talk over their meals. After the plates are cleared and there's nothing left but coffee and cake, Dominic leans forward at the table, taking their accidental touches a step further and makes his next quite purposeful, stroking his long fingers over the back of Billy's hand as he holds his cup.

Billy's not as chatty as he once was, but Dominic sees now that his talkativeness has been a show of nerves more than anything else. Now Billy's silence is almost warmer than their conversation, and when Billy does talk, it's with a genuine smile that spreads wider than Dominic's ever seen. Billy's relaxed, his eyes softer, and when Dominic leans forward, he reads there that Billy's waited for this and wanted it, too, even if he's only coming to that conclusion now.

After they've lingered as long as they can, they have goodnatured fight over the bill until Billy gives first, saying, "You chatted me up; you can get this one."

"We'll have to make sure there's another, then."

"Absolutely," Billy answers almost quicker than Dominic can make the suggestion and Dominic thinks again how right this is.

Back on the pavement, neither Dominic or Billy are eager to be out of each other's company once lunch is over. They perform a slow dance on the street outside the restaurant of checking the sky for rain and their own pockets for wallets, keys and phones.

"Did you want to walk a bit?" Dominic asks, sliding his hands deeper into his pockets to keep from reaching again for Billy. "The market goes on until 2 or 3, I think."

"Or even a movie," Billy answers, scuffing the toe of his shoe against the edge of Dominic's trainer. "If there's something you'd like to see."

"Or we could just go back to my place." As soon as the words are out of Dominic's mouth, he can feel his cheeks going pink and hot but he doesn't break eye contact with Billy and he can see Billy's face go from surprised to you know, that's not a bad idea in the time it takes Dominic to take the step between them and kiss Billy's half smile just to see what he tastes like.

***

At the door to his flat, Dominic fumbles with the key, his hands shaking slightly in eager anticipation. He drops them altogether, huffing out a laugh, when Billy presses against him from behind. "Did you need some help there?"

"I got it this time," Dominic says as he crouches to pick up the keys, his hand gentle on Billy's chest, pinning him to the wall as if not trusting he won't attack. Dominic manages to turn the key in the lock and then curls his hand around Billy's loosened tie, pulling him inside the flat.

Inside, Billy looks around as if he's come to appraise the art and furnishings, but it's only a distraction to keep his hands and thoughts from Dominic's body. Dominic follows his glance and laughs when Billy catches himself being caught. Dominic eases them around the works-in-progress, and tugs Billy toward the kitchen and an ashtray Billy refuses as he tugs back.

Dominic counts the lines that have multiplied around Billy's eyes since the last time he was able to get this close and brushes his lips against them until Billy ducks his head in strangely blushing surprise. They move apart so that the counter separates them, neither seeming to want it to happen as fast as each would let it. Dominic busies himself with glasses of water for them both as Billy moves around the space again.

"This is a great flat. How long do you have it for?"

"It's not mine. Do you remember what I used to model?"

Billy hums, turning towards Dominic, his hands in his pockets as he rocks on his heels. "I do. You were the focus of someone's thesis. What was his name?"

"Gian. This is his flat. His and his partner's, Karina. They've gone to the States for the summer."

"What'll you do, then?"

Dominic shrugs, knowing the question is about more than the flat. In advising sessions, they've talked about his plans; or, to be more honest, his lack of plans. Billy's suggested more schooling, which contrasted with his father's more practical idea, which is to get a job.

"I just had an offer to publish another set of poems for a German anthology."

"You didn't tell me," Billy says, his voice high, pleased and surprised.

"I'm not sure I want to write them. I was thinking about something else." Dominic takes a long drink from his glass and then sets it on the counter, sliding his fingers through the condensation, afraid, now, to meet Billy's eyes. "I was thinking about staying here to write something a bit longer."

"A novel?"

Dominic hadn't said it out loud to anyone else and hearing it from Billy, without the hint of disbelief or derision, he's suddenly more confident and tips his chin and nods.

"That's great. I can see it, actually. You're quite talented. That's not just my opinion either." Billy comes closer, close enough to cup Dominic's cheek, stroking his thumb over Dominic's lips. "I especially like the part about you staying here, though, no matter what you'll be doing."


***

The first time Dominic wakes up, the room was still fully dark and Billy sweeps over him with less testing and more surety in his movements. They reach for one another like drowning men, their eyes wild and their hands grasping. Dominic finds he loves the taste of Billy on his tongue and dips his head for more as Billy arches his back, crying out--calling out Dominic's name.

The second time Dominic wakes, the sun is at an angle that says late morning and Billy is again the first one up, but laying on his stomach and watching Dominic sleep. His hand still curls tight around Dominic's wrist as it had been when Dominic had collapsed next to him, sweaty and breathing hard. The sight of it, of Billy's easy possessiveness, catches Dominic's breath and he turns gently to face Billy but not wanting to disturb his hand.

"Hi," Dominic whispers then clears his throat, embarrassed enough by how soft he sounds.

Billy catches his chin before he can duck to hide his eyes and caresses his fingers over his cheek. "Good morning."

"Did you sleep well?"

"Well enough, though I think I liked the bits best when I was awake."

"Did you have plans for today?"

"This," Billy says, tightening his hand around Dominic's wrist, pleased when Dominic relaxes his hand, his fingers open and loose. "Just this, I think. And coffee, maybe."

"I have green tea."

"Is that anything like coffee?"

"It has antioxidants and is exceedingly healthy."

"Definitely nothing like coffee. Can we have that instead?"

"I don't have coffee."

"I thought students were required to be wired on triple venti mocha espressos. Emergency supplies stashed beneath their beds and such."

"Not a student anymore," Dominic says, please beyond the telling of being able to say it at last.

"And thank god for that."

"Karina put an end to all my bad habits when I moved in. She's worse than my mother about things like that. No smoking, no drinking, all organic diet. I'm painfully healthy." Dominic turns his head on the pillow to grin at Billy. "I'm very careful about what goes into my body."

"Really?"

Dominic nods slowly, sliding his hand low on Billy's belly.

"I need coffee." Billy tugs Dominic's head back something a little less than gently, exposing Dominic's neck. Dominic makes a sound like a great cat purring, his eyes closing as he stretches his neck back further. "That was supposed to be threatening."

"Maybe if you nibbled at my neck some. Yeah, like that."

"You don't seem particularly cowed."

"I'm near to agreeing to keep coffee here for your particular use. The good stuff."

"Until then, we'll have to wake up in my house," Billy says, surprising himself. He blinks twice and then again as Dominic watches, both of them quiet before Billy turns Dominic in his arms and pulls him close. Dominic goes gladly, tucking himself tight against Billy's body, pressing his lips to Billy's throat before settling down. "There's whiskey, there, you see, and chocolate, and coffee. Bad though it may be."

***

Out of the shower and dressed in a borrowed shirt, Billy stands in the loft's small front room, waiting for Dominic. Though he's tempted, he hasn't touched any of the canvases that lean against the walls. What he can see, though, has made him curious. A series of pencil drawings pinned to the wall show that the artist had clearly had a great fondness for both of his subjects, Dominic and the woman that Billy supposes is the artist Karina. It reminds Billy of a picture that was in the bedroom, of the three of them, Billy recognizing Gian from an art exhibit he attended just a couple of years ago, with both Gian and Karina holding Dominic between them. In the picture, it was snowing and the three of them were wrapped in hats and scarves, Dominic standing out with his eyes an uncharacteristic brilliant blue, crinkled in laughter.
It suddenly occurs to Billy that maybe there was more to the relationship between the three of them than sisterly. Or brotherly. Or whatever other assumptions he had made before.

It's not until later, over coffee, that Billy decides he should just put the subject on the table, bluntly because he doesn't know how else to do it. "You said Gian and Karina were in the States."

Dominic, busy with a fastidious arrangement of tea, yougurt and granola, nods but doesn't look up, dripping honey into his bowl.

"You didn't want to go with them?"

He looks up then, confused for a moment before understanding blossoms across his face. "No. I, ehm. There were compelling reasons for me to stay here."

"But it was an option?"

"One of several." Dominic licks the honey from his spoon before he sets it down. "You want to know if I was involved with one or the other?"

"Or both."

Dominic throws a blush when Billy's smile turns exceedingly curious but Billy waits until the very end of breakfast to say more. As he stares out the window with his chin propped up in one hand, he wonders at the other options Dominic didn't take "I've not shared anything since I left home," he says quietly, fighting with himself for feeling ridiculous and attached after a day. He balls his napkin up before smoothing it against the table and folding it carefully. "I don't think I'd be much good at it this many years on."

"No. I don't suppose so," Dominic answers, but he's smiling.

"You said you had several options."

"This is the best one, Billy." Leaning across the table, Dominic half raises from his chair to kiss away the wrinkles of fear and worry that have appeared across Billy's forehead. "This is definitely where I want to be." With that, he stands, tugging at Billy's hand to have him follow.

Comments

[babydazzle.livejournal.com]

I never tire of this universe or any variations of it. :)

[almaviva.livejournal.com]

Me either :D

[eff-reality.livejournal.com]

Word to the above comment. It's wonderful to see what might have happened, had neither of them given into temptation so early on. It makes them both fundamentally different as characters, and makes the universe less nerve-wracking to be in. :)

Thank you!

[piratesorka.livejournal.com]

I find it fascinating that you would do this, a "what if" sort of story in the universe you created. Its so much calmer and without the angst.

I like it.

[owlgrey.livejournal.com]

"I have green tea."

"Is that anything like coffee?"

"It has antioxidants and is exceedingly healthy."

"Definitely nothing like coffee. Can we have that instead?"

Absolute gold!

[feelforfaith.livejournal.com]

It's so great to see another AU of the AU :). (And I've just been rereading A Trick of the Night.)

"Until then, we'll have to wake up in my house," Billy says, surprising himself. He blinks twice and then again as Dominic watches, both of them quiet before Billy turns Dominic in his arms and pulls him close. Dominic goes gladly, tucking himself tight against Billy's body, pressing his lips to Billy's throat before settling down. "There's whiskey, there, you see, and chocolate, and coffee. Bad though it may be."

That's the quintessential Billy :D. It was a pleasure to read this!