Fic: Long Distance
title: Long Distance
rating: PG-13
summary: Dominic gets some bad news
a/n: For my writing class, for the prompt Trauma. I wrote most of these ficlets with Dom and/or other LotR guys in mind, but I changed the names around. It's getting really hard for me to think of new, good characters... >.<
Emily found Dominic sitting on the steps of the porch, away from the rest of the party. She sat down beside him and touched his shoulder.
“Hey, you alright?”
“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked sharply. He turned his body away from her.
“Nothing-I didn’t mean-” she backtracked wildly at his defensiveness. “I just thought it strange that you’re out here all alone when there’s music and food and alcohol inside.”
“I’m fine, Em. It was just… too much.”
“Too much of what?” She was instantly concerned; Dominic was usually the life of the party, never one to sit in the corner alone.
“Of everything,” he replied quietly. “Go back inside, Emily.”
“C’mon, Dom, tell me what’s wrong,” she wheedled.
“I’m fine,” he said again, but this time his voice broke in the middle of the word.
Emily softened at once and slid her arm around his neck, pulling his head to her shoulder. “Dominic, what’s happened?” she murmured. Her right hand reached around to stroke his forearm.
“It-It’s Matt,” he said tearfully. “He-he’s been in an accident.”
Emily gasped. She’d only met Dominic’s brother once, but it was obvious to her how close the two siblings were. “Is he-”
“Our mom’s flying out to see him. His wife said he hasn’t woken up yet.” Dominic turned his face into Emily’s neck and took several deep breaths.
“When did you find out?” Emily asked. “Just now?”
“Mom left me a message on my cell.”
“Dom, do you want me to tell everyone to fuck off for a while?” Now knowing why Dominic chose to remove himself from the crowd, Emily wondered why he hadn’t just told them to leave. It was his house, after all.
He nodded. “Please?”
“Consider it done.”
“I just don’t want to be… social. Right now.”
“They’ll understand, Dom.”
“I should-I should make arrangements. To see him, I mean. Call the airline.”
“Yeah. He’ll like it that you’re there, I think. When he wakes up.”
“Emily-I don’t… I don’t know that he will,” Dominic breathed. “Mom sounded so-so worried.”
The desperation in Dominic’s voice broke Emily’s heart. “Oh, Dommie, of course she’s worried,” Emily soothed, tightening her arms around her friend. “She’s your mom. One of her sons goes to the hospital, she’s bound to be freaking out a little. I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that.”
“I just-I don’t know.” Dominic wiped his eyes and sniffed loudly. “I just want him to be okay.”
“He will be, Dom. He’ll be fine.” Emily gave him another squeeze and gently extricated herself. “I’ll go clear people out, okay? And book you a flight.”
Dominic nodded. He curled up on the step and hugged his knees. Emily smiled sadly and turned to go back inside.
“Emily?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“It’ll be okay, Dom. I promise.”
It was a promise she didn’t feel comfortable making, but it was something Dominic needed to hear. With a determined glance at the mass of people inside, Emily stepped in to do her best to comfort her friend.