Book One, Chapter 16: Torrential

[incline_mod]

Title: Torrential
Authors: kiltsandlollies and escribo
Characters: Billy/Dominic
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 4500
Summary: In which rain falls and a meal and something more are shared.
Index
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

Comments

[msilverstar]

It's pouring rain here right now, so perfectly apropos ;-)

And this is even better than I remember it, Dom's little victory oh my.

[incline_mod]

Another thread that we really expanded and gave it so much more detail. I'm glad it was a good way for you to spend a rainy afternoon (or morning!)

[anonymous]

You know, I agree that there's a subtle change in Dom here in that to me, he's on more solid emotional footing with Billy now. There's more backstory and more history between them than there was at this point in the story as it was written before, if that makes any sense, and definitely more of a feeling that Dom knows he's nurturing real feelings for Billy and more than just a crush.

It seems to me that he's still very insecure about the whole thing and definitely unsure as to whether Billy could ever have real feelings for him, but he's so smitten at this point he's willing to start testing the limits of physical attraction because that's territory he's very familiar with -- in a way that's cognizant of long term implications, which tells me a lot about what Dom is wanting here.

I am so interested to see how their more solid in some ways, but still fundamentally professor and student dynamic plays out in the next few chapters, especially how the original story changes. You guys are doing a remarkable job of reworking and I would

[incline_mod]

Reading your comment gave me pause. I was afraid that over time of learning this character, that I've changed him too much during the rewrites because I love forcing him to grow up and watch him mature. Thinking about it, though, and talking with my co-writer, I think that in the first draft of this story, he was less confident and more insecure but that he really wouldn't have been. He would have been more sure of his sexuality, of his body and of his prowess as a lover. It's the things that will take him into the relationship he wants from Billy that make him question himself--his intelligence, his ability to provide enough stimulation to Billy mentally, his emotional intelligence. Strong in some ways and weak in others.

Thank you for your comment. I like things that challenge me a little and make me think!

that was me :) ^

[anoria]

sorry!

Re: that was me :) ^

[incline_mod]

Another really great comment on this thread! I like that you point out that the change in Dominic's character reveals the seriousness of his feelings. When I wrote the original drabbles so very long ago, I had no idea the story would turn into this. Even after the first few chapters in the beginning, I had no idea. Dominic's character was pretty much just whatever I felt like writing at the time with very little development. Laura was always really thinking about her Billy and he was always more developed. I think in a way that worked because the character was more mature. She really challenges me to think about things that I never would have otherwise and I think it's showing in the work now, especially with the rewrites

[anoria]

Oh, no, never be afraid that you've changed Dom too much, I think it's just as you've said, that you're bringing things out that were already there. It's just fascinating to watch him become a more fully realized character as his earlier interactions with Billy take more solid form -- if I can borrow a bit from past and future stories, the intimate conversation at the pub at St. Andrews, those darkened, narrow eyes, the crackling energy between them at the doors of hotel rooms and in the steamed-up confines of cars...you definitely get the sense that Dom knows the effect he's having and knows it's only a matter of time if he wants to get Billy in bed, but still wants more from Billy, more than sex, and isn't quite willing to risk losing everything just for a physical encounter (which again says volumes about this strong and intelligent young man

[hepcatliz]

I agree with tigg71, this is my favorite chapter of this book. To see Billy really fight with the attraction he feels towards Dom, knowing that is it really inappropriate, to see Dom realize that Billy has these feelings, that he now has power over him, it's incredible.

On my first read I got a little into Book 3 (I think), so I know a little of what's to come, but I love that both of you have taken the time to finish and to some extent re-write the series. I am really looking forward to reading more of this!

[incline_mod]

Thank you. It definitely one of my favorites, too (to read as it was to write). I hope you enjoy the rest of the series (nearly) as much :D