With A Little Help From My Friends
Title: With A Little Help From My Friends - 34/47
Author: dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: R, maybe.
Summary: An unexpected offer, making adjustments, and unforeseen consequences.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice. Many thanks to my beta, frojane.
Special Thanks: To loki_girl for the exquisite banner that she has created, and to tarnishedhalo for loaning me her inspirational manip for the centerpiece. I am so thankful and appreciative of you both, and your generosity.
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. This is my imagination at work.
A/N: Not that this should come as a shock, but there’s a warning of angst for this chapter.
Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33
Chapter 34
It’s nearly nine o’clock when Billy gives in to what he’s wanted to do for over two hours and picks up the phone to dial Dom’s work number, wondering where his lover is, and when he’ll be coming home. While Dom’s been spending extra time at the office recently, this is by far the latest he’s ever been. He’d called to say that he wouldn’t be home in time for dinner, but that was hours ago, at half five.
“Hello?” Dom says as he answers the phone, the tension clear in his tone.
“Hey, it’s me,” Billy replies uneasily. “Sorry to bother you at work. I was just wondering when I might expect you.”
“I’m sorry, Bills,” Dom says wearily. “I’m trying to find a bed for somebody, but I’m not having any luck.”
Billy’s noticed the drop in temperature in recent days, and deduced that more people would be looking to find somewhere warm to sleep, and therefore increasing Dom’s workload. “Shelter’s are all full?”
“Every last one of them,” Dom reports with a heavy sigh. “I was waiting to hear back from one last possibility. If there isn’t any space there, I’m out of options.”
“A family?” Billy inquires.
“No. A bloke. Actually, I think a boy is a more accurate description,” Dom tells him, fighting back a tremble in his voice. “He got roughed up, pretty bad. It scared him and finally convinced him to come in and see me. I promised him that I’d help, and now- I can’t let him down. I just can’t.”
“Well, we have the guest room,” Billy interjects gently when Dom finally trails off. “How about that?”
While the idea of inviting a stranger into his home isn’t ideal, Billy wants to ease Dom’s distress, and bring him home. This would solve both of their problems, at least temporarily.
“You wouldn’t mind?” Dom asks as hope begins to find its way into his voice. “It would only be for one night.”
“It’s late, Dommie,” Billy says soothingly, reaching through the phone line with his tender lilt. “And it sounds like you both need to get some rest.”
“All right. We’ll be there in a few minutes,” Dom replies. “I just need to lock up here first.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.”
“Bills?”
Billy pulls the phone back to his ear when he hears Dom call out his name. “Aye?”
“Thank you,” Dom says fervently. “I mean it.”
“You’re welcome.”
The fact that Billy had very little appetite tonight comes in handy when he pulls the leftovers out of the fridge and dishes up two plates, assuming that Dom hasn’t eaten, nor the boy he was trying to find a bed for. He’s pulling one plate out of the microwave when the door to the flat opens, low voices filling the quiet, and after setting the timer to warm the second meal, Billy turns to greet their guest.
Dom enters the kitchen first, the relief evident in his eyes as he closes the distance between them and slides his arms around Billy’s waist for a hug.
“Thanks again,” he murmurs before pressing a soft kiss to the side of Billy’s pale neck. “I’ll find a place for him tomorrow.”
“I warmed up some dinner,” Billy says, giving Dom a brief hug in return. “I thought you two might be hungry.”
“Yeah, I think we are,” Dom replies before pulling back and looking over his shoulder at the young man lingering in the doorway. “C’mon in, Aaron. I want you to meet Billy.”
When the younger man shuffles forward and finally looks up to meet Billy’s gaze, the Scotsman finds his heart going out to him. Under normal circumstances, Aaron would be a strikingly attractive bloke, rather fetching, actually, if it weren’t for the dark bruise marring his left eye, swollen almost completely shut, and one of a similar color blossoming along his jaw line on the opposite side of his face. The stiff way the boy is standing tells Billy that there are more injuries that he can’t see, and the uneasiness in Aaron’s good eye reminds him so much of Dom after he was attacked that it causes a lump to form in Billy’s throat.
“Hello Aaron,” Billy says gently. “I hope you like lasagna.”
“You shouldn’t have gone to any trouble,” Aaron replies weakly, trying valiantly to keep his emotions in check, but it’s clear to everyone that he’s had a very difficult day.
Mercifully, the microwave dings, interrupting the awkward moment, and by the time Billy pulls the food out and delivers the two plates to the table, Aaron has regained some control. While Dom gets Aaron settled, Billy lays out utensils at their place mats, being as invisible as possible.
“Did you lock up downstairs?” Billy asks Dom as he sets down two glasses of water.
“Yeah,” he replies with a nod, meeting Billy’s gaze. “Bolted the door and set the alarm.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
It becomes clear that Aaron’s meals haven’t been too steady when he digs into the steaming hot lasagna in front of him, unable to hide how ravenous he is. Attempting to appear casual, Billy moves over to the fridge and looks inside, relieved when he spots the leftover takeaway that Dom had brought home last night when he was too tired to cook.
“There’s some Chinese in here, too,” Billy says mildly. “Feel free to help yourself.”
It’s in that moment that Aaron realizes that he’s practically inhaled half of the food on his plate, and his cheeks flush with embarrassment.
“Thank you,” he says awkwardly, trying to change the subject and deflect some attention. “For letting me crash on the couch.”
“I think the guest room will be much more comfortable for you, actually,” Billy replies. “Dom never had any complaints.”
“Until I started sleeping with you,” Dom adds, touched at the effort Billy is making to help Aaron feel welcome. “I think that’s much better.”
“Very true,” Billy agrees, sharing a private smile with his lover. “Eat up before it gets cold. I’ll be down the hall.”
Before Aaron can protest and tell Billy that he didn’t mean to chase him away, the older man disappears from sight. When he looks back to meet Dom’s caring gaze, he struggles to hold onto his composure.
“He’s nice.”
“I told you he would be,” Dom replies softly. “He’s a good man.”
“Yeah,” Aaron says shakily.
“Do you want that Chinese food?” Dom inquires, eyeing Aaron’s decimated plate. “It’ll just take a minute to heat up.”
“I’m okay,” Aaron says quickly. “You’ve already-”
“Billy wouldn’t have made the offer if he didn’t mean it,” Dom interrupts, already having figured out what Aaron was going to say. “It’s leftovers. Nothing fancy, but I have to tell you, Wong’s makes really good food.”
“Okay.”
Aaron has a mouthful of sweet and sour pork when Billy returns to the kitchen and walks over to turn on the electric kettle for some tea. Several minutes pass quietly as the water comes to a boil, and Billy adds milk and honey to the steaming cup of liquid. It’s when Billy is stirring his cup with a small spoon that he finally speaks.
“The guest room is down the hall, first door on the left,” he says, glancing over his shoulder to make eye contact with Aaron. “Loo is across from it, and our room is at the end of the hall. There are fresh sheets on the bed and towels on the bureau for you. Feel free to take a shower tonight or in the morning if you prefer. Everything you need should be there, but if not, just ask Dom or myself.”
Stunned at Billy’s generosity, Aaron is speechless, and he can only stare in shock.
“There’s a gel pack in the fridge,” Billy says to Dom, his voice lower in volume. “It might help with the eye. I put a bottle of Paracetamol in the medicine cabinet, too.”
“Thank you,” Dom murmurs as he tilts his head back to welcome Billy’s kiss, and a whisper of pleasure pushes past his lips when contact is made.
“It’s been a long day, so I’m going to turn in,” Billy continues after he’s straightened up again, his hand resting on Dom’s slender shoulder. “See you in the morning for breakfast.”
“Oh, uh, sure,” Aaron stumbles to answer when he realizes that Billy is speaking to him, and not Dom. “Thank you.”
“I won’t be long,” Dom tells Billy, their eyes meeting and holding for a long, tender moment, the love for the older man clear in his expression.
“Good night, Aaron.”
“G’night.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
As Billy walks down the hall to the bedroom, the cup of sweetened tea cradled in his small hands, he hopes that he’s doing the right thing. It’s clear that Aaron is in trouble, and that Dom has made it his mission to help him. What choice does Billy have but to offer support and assistance as well? He was careful around Aaron, tried to make the young man feel welcome in an awkward and difficult situation. He was the perfect host. Despite outward appearances, however, there’s a nagging doubt in the back of Billy’s mind that refuses to go away. A fear, perhaps an irrational one, but it’s there. When he’d brought Dom into his home, there was an emotional attachment, a bond. They’d taken the first steps towards building a closer relationship within these walls, and then had fallen in love.
While Billy doesn’t believe that Dom would ever be unfaithful, at least, not deliberately, he can’t get the similarities out of his thoughts. Dom cares so passionately about his work. Who’s to say that he wouldn’t get caught up or things wouldn’t get out of hand? Part of Billy knows that he’s being ridiculous, but still. They’ve been drifting apart lately, always cordial with one another, but the passion that once consumed them has definitely cooled. Billy knows he’s getting older, his waist thicker, ginger hair thinner. Dom’s still young and attractive. It wouldn’t surprise Billy in the least for someone to show romantic interest in Dom.
Tonight, Billy’s quite deliberately left them alone, and come to bed to wait for his lover. Now, more than ever, Billy aches to have his beloved Dommie close to him, bare skin pressed together and bodies curled up under the coverlet. Everything Aaron will need for the evening has been taken care of. All Billy can do is wait patiently and hope that Dom will come to him, seek refuge in his embrace, and soothe his doubts away.
Seemingly automatic, Billy washes his face, brushes his teeth and uses the loo before returning to the bedroom, noticing that he must’ve placed his cup of tea on the night stand, even though he has no memory of doing it. That’s how preoccupied he is. A well worn t-shirt is drawn over Billy’s head after his trousers, shirt and socks are tossed into the laundry, and Billy decides that reading a book might help distract him, and keep him from dwelling on the minutes as they tick by. What’s the worst that can happen? He falls asleep alone and is denied the opportunity to curl up with his lover, to kiss and talk before drifting off, their limbs entwined.
Admittedly, he’s immensely relieved when Dom slips into the bedroom just over ten minutes later, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. At first Dom doesn’t move, leaning against the door and gazing at Billy fondly as he closes his book.
“What?” Billy asks when Dom remains silent.
“I love you,” Dom says simply.
“Well, that’s rather convenient, since I love you, too,” Billy replies, his heartbeat fluttering.
He smiles at Dom, and it grows bigger as his lover closes the distance between them, crawling across the coverlet on his hands and knees until he’s straddling the older man. Mouths come together in a warm, tender kiss, lips parting briefly so tongues can touch, and Dom gasps when Billy’s small hands slip beneath his t-shirt to caress his belly. Long fingers clutch at Billy’s biceps, soft murmurs of pleasure flowing back and forth, and Dom shifts closer, pressing into Billy’s touch.
“You are so good to me,” Dom breathes, lifting is arms above his head to help Billy as his shirt is removed and the coverlet pushed down. “You called when I was worried, wondering what I was going to do. You saved me.”
“I’m just glad you’re home,” Billy replies, grinning when Dom moans at the sensation of his nipples being teased into rosy peaks. “So I can touch you.”
“We should go to bed early more often,” Dom sighs as he’s rolled onto his back and Billy’s delicate fingers deftly open the button and fly of his blue jeans. “Like we used to, yeah?”
Dom wants to say more, but loses the ability to speak when Billy’s pointy tongue swirls around one nipple and then the other before moving lower. Hands stroke his newly exposed belly, and when fingernails scratch ever so gently at Dom’s treasure trail, he groans at the sensation.
“I love how you know my body,” Dom gasps, arching his back and then shifting to raise his hips in order for his denims to be peeled away.
In movements as natural as breathing, Billy’s clothing is discarded so their bodies can come together, and Dom’s efforts to keep quiet are all but shattered when Billy slides in deep and finds his sweet spot. Craving more of his lover, Dom folds himself nearly in half to encourage deeper thrusts, his ankles resting on Billy’s shoulders, their stomachs rubbing together and creating friction for his leaking erection. All too happy to oblige Dom, Billy increases his speed, relentless as he pumps his hips, urging them towards completion at a frantic pace. It’s only after they’ve both found release and are dozing in each others arms that Dom is musing to himself and realizes it’s been a full week since they made love. No wonder Billy was in the mood tonight.
“Bills?”
Snuffling and rubbing his nose against Dom’s hair, Billy replies, “Mmm?”
“I’ll find a place for Aaron tomorrow,” Dom vows. “He won’t be in your way for long, I promise.”
“It’s okay, Dommeh,” Billy says, eyes closed and his voice drowsy. “He doesn’t have to leave. I’m not going to push him out the door.”
“He can stay?”
“I don’t want you worrying about it,” Billy continues before pressing a soft kiss to Dom’s temple. “You work so hard, love. He’s here. He may as well stay for a while.”
“One day I will figure out what I did to deserve you,” Dom whispers, squeezing Billy in a fierce hug until he grunts at the pressure on his ribs.
“You let me love you.”
Billy is losing the battle against sleep, even as he forms the words that have become a mantra between them, and a moment later, his whistling snore fills the quiet.
It would seem that his concerns were unfounded, as illustrated by the eager way in which Dom came to him, and they made love, the younger man surrendering to his touch, trusting him completely and without reservation.
Things will be better now. Having a project closer to home will provide opportunities for Dom to be around the flat more, so he and Billy can see each other for more than just snippets in the morning and at night. Perhaps shag more often, since Billy misses the intimate connection with Dom. Aaron will have a safe place to stay while he and Dom figure out what he’s going to do, Billy will see Dom more often, and Dom can ease up on his punishing schedule at the Centre a wee bit.
Billy figures that all things considered, it’s the likely best option for all of them, or at least, he hopes it is.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
After a few days, the three settle into a routine, getting used to having Aaron around the flat and making any necessary adjustments, most noticeably the amount of groceries required. Billy discovers that Aaron’s actually quite bright when the boy seeks Billy out in the shop after Dom gets called into the Centre, and he helps the older man get caught up on some filing in the office. Since it appears to help Aaron to contribute, Billy allows it, and can’t help but be reminded of Dom, all those years ago.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t take a week before Dom is back to working long hours at the Centre, seemingly more determined than ever. On several occasions Billy tries to speak to Dom, remind him that it’s not a race, but Dom shakes his head as he disagrees with him. It would seem that Dom has developed tunnel-vision, and has convinced himself that if he works hard enough, he can save all those in trouble from a terrible fate. He refuses to accept anything less.
It’s nearly half five on a Thursday when the phone rings at the book shop, and Billy ducks into the office to answer it, leaving Aaron to watch the register for a minute. Although Aaron tries to give Billy some privacy, voices carry, and he can tell by the tone of Billy’s voice that it’s not a happy phone call. A few moments later, the conversation ends, and even though Aaron waits for several minutes, Billy doesn’t return to the front of the book shop. Finally, curiosity gets the better of him and Aaron ducks his head around the corner to peer into the office, only to discover Billy sitting at his desk, head in his hands. The second that Billy catches movement out of the corner of his eye, he sits up and clears his throat before looking over at the younger man.
“Dom’s working late, so I guess it’s you and me for dinner tonight,” Billy tells him, trying to appear casual, but his smile doesn’t come close to reaching his suspiciously bright eyes. “What do you feel like having?”
“I’m not fussy,” Aaron replies quickly, accepting that Billy wants to change the subject. “Is there something you’re in the mood for?”
Billy is quiet for a long moment as he thinks, and he exhales heavily before rising to his feet.
“I want to get out of here for a while,” he announces. “Does pizza sound okay to you?”
“Sure.”
“Mind locking the front door while I take care of the safe?”
“Got it,” Aaron says with a smile. He turns and starts to take care of the task while giving Billy a chance to compose himself in private.
As he draws the blinds and secures the locks, Aaron thinks back to the night he arrived at the book shop with Dom. After they’d all gone to bed, he’d heard muffled sounds of the couple, when they’d clearly been engaged in an intimate act of pleasure, and he also knows that he hasn’t heard those sounds since. Part of him admires Dom’s dedication to the work he does in trying to help others, but he’s also saddened at how Dom’s not doing the same at home. In addition, Aaron can’t help but wonder if he’s partially to blame for this mess, since he’s a disruption to their lives. It doesn’t seem fair for Billy to be so unhappy, and separated from the man he clearly loves.
Within a few minutes, the shop is closed up, and Billy leads the way to Tony’s, where they find a quiet booth and Aaron does his best to distract the older man from his troubles. He manages to get Billy to laugh a couple of times, and they find a number of things to talk about, including authors they’re fond of and movies based on books they’ve enjoyed. By the end of the meal, the weight that’s been sitting on Billy’s shoulders seems to be lighter, his smile more genuine. The leftover pizza is boxed up and Aaron’s not surprised when Billy insists on paying for their meal, even though he offers.
They’re walking back to the book shop when they pause at a street corner, waiting for the traffic lights to change, and Aaron notices that Billy is suddenly quiet, his eyes full of memories. Aaron is careful not to disturb the older man, and gently touches Billy’s elbow to get his attention when it’s their turn to cross the street.
“Sorry,” Billy says as he gives his head a shake. “I was just thinking back to when Dom lived over there. We went for pizza one night.”
“Dom said you’ve been together a long time.”
“Aye, we have,” Billy agrees with a slow nod. “Met him in the pub the first night I moved here.”
For a moment, it’s almost as thought Billy is going to say more, but he apparently changes his mind, and doesn’t speak again until they’re walking up the stairs to the flat above the book shop.
Not surprisingly, Dom isn’t home from the Centre, and in an attempt at distraction, Aaron suggests that they stretch out in front of the television and watch some Monty Python, but it isn’t long before Billy claims to be tired. Watching Billy shuffle down the hall, carrying a tumbler of scotch and his shoulders slumped, the young man wishes there was more he could do.
The shower runs for a long time, and the lights are off in the master bedroom when Dom finally comes home. Aaron is in the living room, curled up in the chair and engrossed in a book from the shop that Billy generously offered to let him read when Dom bounds into the room, grinning from ear to ear.
“Hey,” Aaron says in greeting, marking his page and closing the book to give Dom his full attention. “You’re home.”
“Yeah, I was dropping Drew and Matt off at a group home,” Dom announces with pride. “I begged for the two spots that opened up this morning. It took hours to convince them that they’ll have a real shot at starting over there, but they finally caved.”
The relief in Dom’s expression is unmistakable, that all the time and energy he’s expended wasn’t in vain, because tonight, two young men are in a safe place. They’ve taken their first steps towards a better life.
“That’s great, Dom,” Aaron says with a wobbly smile.
While Aaron is truly happy for the two rent boys he’d gotten to know a wee bit during his time on the street, he can’t get Billy’s sad green eyes out of his thoughts.
“It’s almost forty-five minutes from here, so they’ll be safe,” Dom adds. “Less likely that they’ll- hey, where’s Billy?”
Aaron is disheartened when it takes that long for Dom to discover that his partner is not in the room to share in the news. If even he can tell that Billy is all but falling off Dom’s list of priorities, then there’s little chance that Billy hasn’t realized it as well. That would explain why he was drifting into memories tonight, remembering when he wasn’t merely an afterthought.
“He went to bed a while ago,” Aaron replies. “He said he was tired.”
Dom’s face falls. “Oh.”
“There’s leftover pizza in the fridge if you’re hungry,” he adds. “Billy wasn’t sure if you were going to grab something at the Centre or not.”
“Okay. Thanks.” Dom looks around the room, seeming rather deflated now, as though it’s finally dawned on him how little time he’s spent at the flat of late.
“He’s going to show me how to do inventory tomorrow,” Aaron says with a touch of pride. “So I better get some sleep.”
“He is?”
The younger man nods, causing long strands of white blonde hair fall into his line of vision. “He’s been letting me help out in the shop a bit, actually,” Aaron explains. “I like it, working in the back. He said I didn’t have to talk to customers.”
“Good.”
“See you in the morning?”
“Yeah,” Dom replies, obviously distracted. “Sure.”
“Good night.”
“’Night.”
“Hey, Dom?”
“Yeah?”
“Congratulations,” Aaron tells him sincerely. “I really am happy for you.”
Mutely, Dom nods and then disappears into the kitchen as Aaron heads off to bed. He makes a brief stop in the loo to brush his teeth, and hears the microwave ding just as he steps into the guest room and closes the door. The flat is quiet, and for a little while Aaron can hear the low murmur of the television, and then he falls asleep.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
It’s nearly half two when Aaron awakens, the pressure against his bladder prodding him out of bed to use the facilities. He’s surprised when he notices light coming out of the kitchen when he steps into the hall, and after relieving himself, decides to investigate, wondering if perhaps Dom forgot to turn the light off. Aaron is surprised to find Billy sitting at the kitchen table, scribbling in a notebook, a half empty cup of tea nearby.
“Billy?” he says softly as he enters the room, squinting at the brightness in the room.
Surprised at the sound, Billy looks up with wide eyes. “Hi.”
“Are you okay?
“Fine. I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” Billy inquires as he pushes up the sleeve of his robe with the hand not clutching a pen.
“No,” Aaron replies quickly. “I saw the light and wondered if Dom forgot to turn it off or something.”
“Dom,” Billy repeats under his breath. “Right.”
“He got home just after ten,” Aaron tells Billy, seeing the question in his eyes. “Busy day.”
“Aye, he has a lot of those,” Billy murmurs with a sigh.
A long silence stretches out between them, until Aaron finally speaks up again.
“Are you all right?” he asks tentatively. “I mean, is there something that I can-”
“I’m fine, Aaron,” Billy interrupts gently. “You should go back to bed. It’s late.”
“If you were fine, you wouldn’t be awake in the middle of the night,” Aaron points out.
“I’ve been mulling around an idea in my head for a while, and right now I’m writing it all down so I don’t forget it,” Billy explains. “As soon as I’m done, I’ll go back to bed. I just didn’t want to disturb Dom.”
“Okay,” Aaron says reluctantly. “If there’s something I can do-” When Aaron catches a flicker of interest in Billy’s eyes, he pauses. “Is there, something, I mean?”
“Actually, yes,” Billy admits. “There might be.”
“What is it?”
“Can I run something by you?” Billy asks, trying to keep the uncertainty out of his voice, with limited success. “Get your opinion?”
“Sure.” Before Billy can suggest that they talk in the morning, Aaron drops down into the chair across from him, folds his arms together and rests them on the table. “I’m listening.”
Over the next twenty minutes, Aaron listens attentively as Billy explains his idea, how to get the community involved in the problems of the neighborhood, and make it beneficial for all those involved. It’s a large project, but from what Aaron can tell, Billy’s been thinking about it for quite some time, has been paying attention to the issues that Dom has been fighting. There are a lot of questions yet to be answered, but there is a solid foundation there, and if it does work, the results could be extraordinary.
“Well?” Billy asks nervously when he’s finally finished laying out the details. “Is it absolute shite? Complete rubbish?”
“I think it’s amazing, Billy,” Aaron tells him, touched at the thought that has gone into the idea. It’s clear that Billy wants to support Dom in this fight, and to help those in desperate need.
“So, you’d be interested in something like that?”
“Absolutely,” Aaron agrees fervently. “It’s not a band aid. It’s a structured plan that can be adjusted to meet the specific needs of each person, and give them a chance to help themselves. A hand up, not a hand out.”
“Really?”
“Why haven’t you told Dom about this?” Aaron asks without thinking, regretting the question immediately when the light disappears from Billy’s eyes. “Sorry.”
“He’s busy,” Billy replies, shrugging and attempting to appear unaffected. “Things will slow down soon, and then we can talk about it.”
“I think it’s an incredible idea, Billy. Really great.”
“Well then, I guess it means I need to keep working on it,” Billy decides as he closes his notebook. “Dom’s birthday is coming up pretty quick. Maybe I’ll tell him then.”
“It is? When?”
“Next Wednesday,” Billy replies. “He’s going to be twenty-seven years old.”
“I think that’ll be a great present for him,” Aaron says, nodding in agreement. “Perfect, actually.”
Billy ducks his head as a blush colors his cheeks. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“We should get back to bed,” Billy says after glancing at the clock on the wall. “It’s after three.”
“Yeah. Inventory in the morning,” Aaron adds with a smile.
“Aye.”
Together, they rise from the table, Billy turning off the light before moving down the hall. At the guest room, he pauses and turns to face Aaron.
“Thank you, for listening,” he says quietly. “I appreciate it.”
“I’m glad you told me,” Aaron replies earnestly. “And I hope I get to be part of what you’re trying to do.”
“Me, too.”
“G’night, Billy.”
“See you in the morning.”
Just like when he silently slipped out of the bedroom nearly an hour ago, Dom is fast asleep when Billy slides back under the coverlet and stretches out on the mattress next to him. For several minutes Billy gazes at his sleeping lover in the moonlight, longing to gather the younger man up in his arms and kiss him. There was a time when he would’ve done just that, and it would’ve resulted in slow, sleepy lovemaking, but with Dom’s schedule these days, it doesn’t seem to be the right time. Things to use to feel effortless no longer are, and the distance between them feels much bigger than the few inches that separate them at this very moment.
Eventually, Billy’s eyelids start to grow heavy, and after stifling a yawn, he carefully rolls forward to brush a kiss to Dom’s mussed hair, and then settles into his pillow and lets his eyes close, hoping that he’ll dream of them together.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Weak, winter sunlight streams through the windows of the café as a man sitting alone sips a hot cup of black coffee while he reads his newspaper. His body language, even while seated, is intimidating, and it ensures that he’s not disturbed unless absolutely necessary. The newspaper is spread out on the table in front of him, his focus directed on an article written about a recent addition to the staff of the local Community Drop-in Centre, Dominic Monaghan, and the improvements he’s hoping to make in the neighborhood.
With great interest, the man reads how the dedicated young man describes the close friend who helped him, and because of that friendship, he was able to escape life on the street. He gives credit to taking small steps, in the form of working at Boyd’s House of Books, slowly learning how to make his own way in a safe environment, how he went on to finish his A levels, and then attended university.
The name in the article is a familiar one to the man, as he’s heard it quietly murmured among the people of the neighborhood. He knows that this Dominic is responsible for a number of rent boys leaving, resulting in less revenue for his business. Others before Dominic have come and gone, but he seems to be different from them, and despite the odds against him, remains seemingly optimistic about the future. Rather determined, as a matter of fact. After scanning the stretch of paragraphs again, the man’s dark eyes move lower, across the pages to an advertisement in the lower right corner with a familiar name. Boyd’s.
Reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket, the man withdraws a mobile phone and swiftly dials a number. He waits a few moments as the line rings, letting a slow, dangerous smile turn up the corners of his mouth.
When someone answers the phone, he leans back in his chair and says, “I know how to take care of our problem.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
On the morning of Dom’s birthday, Billy rises early, sneaking out of bed to prepare their ritual pancake breakfast in bed. It’s a tradition that they’ve upheld through the years, during good times and bad, using it as a way to connect with each other, and remember how they felt during those first days of love. In five years, they’ve never missed the opportunity to indulge in one another. Happier than he’s felt in weeks, Billy hums a cheerful tune under his breath as he moves around the kitchen, setting up the tray with coffee and tea, bacon crackling in the frying pan, and a growing stack of golden pancakes artfully arranged on a plate next to the cooker.
Billy is putting the finishing touches on the tray when he hears movement behind him, and spins around on his heel, hoping that it’s not Dom. To his relief, it’s Aaron, in his pajamas, hair tousled, grinning at him.
“Don’t look so happy to see me,” the younger man teases. “You’ll make Dom jealous.”
“Sorry. I just wanted this-”
“To be a surprise for him,” Aaron supplies. “I get it.”
His brow furrowing, Billy looks around the now messy kitchen. “There’s some bacon and-”
“Billy, I can take care of myself,” Aaron interrupts. “You better hurry before Dom smells that bacon and wakes up.”
“Thank you.”
Picking up the tray, Billy starts to hurry over to the doorway, only to stop short when there is movement down the hall, coming from the master bedroom.
“Shite,” Billy curses under his breath. “He’s awake.”
“So, show him what you've got and you two can go back to bed,” Aaron urges in a hoarse whisper, not wanting Dom to hear their conversation. “Go on.”
“Bills?” Dom calls, clearly distracted. “I need to go in early this morning. I’ll see you tonight, yeah?”
Aaron watches Billy’s face fall, the joy that was there replaced by sadness in almost the blink of an eye.
“Aye,” Billy manages to choke out. “Have a good day.”
“Thanks.”
The front door to the flat closes sharply, and Dom’s footsteps quickly fade as he hurries down to the main level.
“Happy Birthday,” Billy adds quietly before setting the tray down on the kitchen table, his small hands faintly trembling as he struggles to control his emotions as the pain washes over him in crashing waves.
Wishing there was something he could do to do to ease Billy’s distress, Aaron tentatively steps closer, and slowly extends a hand.
“Billy-”
“Food shouldn’t go to waste,” Billy interrupts briskly. “And it’s getting cold. Help yourself, okay?”
“But Billy-”
“I need to get dressed.”
Even as Aaron starts touch his shoulder, Billy turns and all but flees from the kitchen, his robe flowing behind him, he’s moving so fast. Aaron takes several steps after the older man, but pauses when he hears a sharp intake of breath, Billy losing the battle to hide the hurt and seeking privacy until he can compose himself. Looking over at the apparently wasted lengths that Billy went to in order to do something special for Dom’s birthday, and the dirty pans on the cooker, Aaron picks up the plate of pancakes and starts to scrape them into the rubbish bin under the sink It’s bad enough that Billy has been forgotten and pushed aside by the man he loves, he shouldn’t have to clean up as well, and Aaron is certainly not going to benefit from Billy’s hard work. The pancakes were not made for him, and he doesn’t want any part of them.
The young man works silently and efficiently, rinsing and then loading the dirty plates into the dishwasher, followed by the pans. Lastly, he wipes the countertops and the table, tucking away the bottle of syrup that Billy had left out in his excitement. The electric kettle is turned on to boil water for tea, and after debating for a couple of minutes, Aaron finally decides to make some porridge, hoping that perhaps Billy will eventually reappear, and want something to eat.
He’s sitting at the table with a half empty bowl of the sticky cereal when Billy walks into the room, and watches as the Scotsman stops short, his gaze sliding around the room.
“Aaron, you didn’t have to-”
“I made porridge,” he interjects. “There’s some extra in the pot if you want.”
Their eyes meet, and no words are necessary for Billy to express his gratitude, because Aaron can see it. Billy exhales a quiet sigh, and purses his lips in thought.
“I appreciate it, but I’m not really hungry,” he tells the younger man. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
Billy shifts awkwardly from one foot to the other. “I, uh, I’ve got paperwork to catch up on in the office, so-”
Nodding, Aaron doesn’t force the issue, understanding that what Billy needs right now is some distraction. There will be plenty of time to be sad, but for now, he needs to focus on something else. Escape it for a wee bit.
“Aaron?”
Surprised at the sound of his name, he looks up. “Yeah?”
“Thank you,” Billy says solemnly. “Really.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’ll see you later.”
“Okay.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Chapter 35
Author: dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: R, maybe.
Summary: An unexpected offer, making adjustments, and unforeseen consequences.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice. Many thanks to my beta, frojane.
Special Thanks: To loki_girl for the exquisite banner that she has created, and to tarnishedhalo for loaning me her inspirational manip for the centerpiece. I am so thankful and appreciative of you both, and your generosity.
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. This is my imagination at work.
A/N: Not that this should come as a shock, but there’s a warning of angst for this chapter.
Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33
Chapter 34
It’s nearly nine o’clock when Billy gives in to what he’s wanted to do for over two hours and picks up the phone to dial Dom’s work number, wondering where his lover is, and when he’ll be coming home. While Dom’s been spending extra time at the office recently, this is by far the latest he’s ever been. He’d called to say that he wouldn’t be home in time for dinner, but that was hours ago, at half five.
“Hello?” Dom says as he answers the phone, the tension clear in his tone.
“Hey, it’s me,” Billy replies uneasily. “Sorry to bother you at work. I was just wondering when I might expect you.”
“I’m sorry, Bills,” Dom says wearily. “I’m trying to find a bed for somebody, but I’m not having any luck.”
Billy’s noticed the drop in temperature in recent days, and deduced that more people would be looking to find somewhere warm to sleep, and therefore increasing Dom’s workload. “Shelter’s are all full?”
“Every last one of them,” Dom reports with a heavy sigh. “I was waiting to hear back from one last possibility. If there isn’t any space there, I’m out of options.”
“A family?” Billy inquires.
“No. A bloke. Actually, I think a boy is a more accurate description,” Dom tells him, fighting back a tremble in his voice. “He got roughed up, pretty bad. It scared him and finally convinced him to come in and see me. I promised him that I’d help, and now- I can’t let him down. I just can’t.”
“Well, we have the guest room,” Billy interjects gently when Dom finally trails off. “How about that?”
While the idea of inviting a stranger into his home isn’t ideal, Billy wants to ease Dom’s distress, and bring him home. This would solve both of their problems, at least temporarily.
“You wouldn’t mind?” Dom asks as hope begins to find its way into his voice. “It would only be for one night.”
“It’s late, Dommie,” Billy says soothingly, reaching through the phone line with his tender lilt. “And it sounds like you both need to get some rest.”
“All right. We’ll be there in a few minutes,” Dom replies. “I just need to lock up here first.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.”
“Bills?”
Billy pulls the phone back to his ear when he hears Dom call out his name. “Aye?”
“Thank you,” Dom says fervently. “I mean it.”
“You’re welcome.”
The fact that Billy had very little appetite tonight comes in handy when he pulls the leftovers out of the fridge and dishes up two plates, assuming that Dom hasn’t eaten, nor the boy he was trying to find a bed for. He’s pulling one plate out of the microwave when the door to the flat opens, low voices filling the quiet, and after setting the timer to warm the second meal, Billy turns to greet their guest.
Dom enters the kitchen first, the relief evident in his eyes as he closes the distance between them and slides his arms around Billy’s waist for a hug.
“Thanks again,” he murmurs before pressing a soft kiss to the side of Billy’s pale neck. “I’ll find a place for him tomorrow.”
“I warmed up some dinner,” Billy says, giving Dom a brief hug in return. “I thought you two might be hungry.”
“Yeah, I think we are,” Dom replies before pulling back and looking over his shoulder at the young man lingering in the doorway. “C’mon in, Aaron. I want you to meet Billy.”
When the younger man shuffles forward and finally looks up to meet Billy’s gaze, the Scotsman finds his heart going out to him. Under normal circumstances, Aaron would be a strikingly attractive bloke, rather fetching, actually, if it weren’t for the dark bruise marring his left eye, swollen almost completely shut, and one of a similar color blossoming along his jaw line on the opposite side of his face. The stiff way the boy is standing tells Billy that there are more injuries that he can’t see, and the uneasiness in Aaron’s good eye reminds him so much of Dom after he was attacked that it causes a lump to form in Billy’s throat.
“Hello Aaron,” Billy says gently. “I hope you like lasagna.”
“You shouldn’t have gone to any trouble,” Aaron replies weakly, trying valiantly to keep his emotions in check, but it’s clear to everyone that he’s had a very difficult day.
Mercifully, the microwave dings, interrupting the awkward moment, and by the time Billy pulls the food out and delivers the two plates to the table, Aaron has regained some control. While Dom gets Aaron settled, Billy lays out utensils at their place mats, being as invisible as possible.
“Did you lock up downstairs?” Billy asks Dom as he sets down two glasses of water.
“Yeah,” he replies with a nod, meeting Billy’s gaze. “Bolted the door and set the alarm.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
It becomes clear that Aaron’s meals haven’t been too steady when he digs into the steaming hot lasagna in front of him, unable to hide how ravenous he is. Attempting to appear casual, Billy moves over to the fridge and looks inside, relieved when he spots the leftover takeaway that Dom had brought home last night when he was too tired to cook.
“There’s some Chinese in here, too,” Billy says mildly. “Feel free to help yourself.”
It’s in that moment that Aaron realizes that he’s practically inhaled half of the food on his plate, and his cheeks flush with embarrassment.
“Thank you,” he says awkwardly, trying to change the subject and deflect some attention. “For letting me crash on the couch.”
“I think the guest room will be much more comfortable for you, actually,” Billy replies. “Dom never had any complaints.”
“Until I started sleeping with you,” Dom adds, touched at the effort Billy is making to help Aaron feel welcome. “I think that’s much better.”
“Very true,” Billy agrees, sharing a private smile with his lover. “Eat up before it gets cold. I’ll be down the hall.”
Before Aaron can protest and tell Billy that he didn’t mean to chase him away, the older man disappears from sight. When he looks back to meet Dom’s caring gaze, he struggles to hold onto his composure.
“He’s nice.”
“I told you he would be,” Dom replies softly. “He’s a good man.”
“Yeah,” Aaron says shakily.
“Do you want that Chinese food?” Dom inquires, eyeing Aaron’s decimated plate. “It’ll just take a minute to heat up.”
“I’m okay,” Aaron says quickly. “You’ve already-”
“Billy wouldn’t have made the offer if he didn’t mean it,” Dom interrupts, already having figured out what Aaron was going to say. “It’s leftovers. Nothing fancy, but I have to tell you, Wong’s makes really good food.”
“Okay.”
Aaron has a mouthful of sweet and sour pork when Billy returns to the kitchen and walks over to turn on the electric kettle for some tea. Several minutes pass quietly as the water comes to a boil, and Billy adds milk and honey to the steaming cup of liquid. It’s when Billy is stirring his cup with a small spoon that he finally speaks.
“The guest room is down the hall, first door on the left,” he says, glancing over his shoulder to make eye contact with Aaron. “Loo is across from it, and our room is at the end of the hall. There are fresh sheets on the bed and towels on the bureau for you. Feel free to take a shower tonight or in the morning if you prefer. Everything you need should be there, but if not, just ask Dom or myself.”
Stunned at Billy’s generosity, Aaron is speechless, and he can only stare in shock.
“There’s a gel pack in the fridge,” Billy says to Dom, his voice lower in volume. “It might help with the eye. I put a bottle of Paracetamol in the medicine cabinet, too.”
“Thank you,” Dom murmurs as he tilts his head back to welcome Billy’s kiss, and a whisper of pleasure pushes past his lips when contact is made.
“It’s been a long day, so I’m going to turn in,” Billy continues after he’s straightened up again, his hand resting on Dom’s slender shoulder. “See you in the morning for breakfast.”
“Oh, uh, sure,” Aaron stumbles to answer when he realizes that Billy is speaking to him, and not Dom. “Thank you.”
“I won’t be long,” Dom tells Billy, their eyes meeting and holding for a long, tender moment, the love for the older man clear in his expression.
“Good night, Aaron.”
“G’night.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
As Billy walks down the hall to the bedroom, the cup of sweetened tea cradled in his small hands, he hopes that he’s doing the right thing. It’s clear that Aaron is in trouble, and that Dom has made it his mission to help him. What choice does Billy have but to offer support and assistance as well? He was careful around Aaron, tried to make the young man feel welcome in an awkward and difficult situation. He was the perfect host. Despite outward appearances, however, there’s a nagging doubt in the back of Billy’s mind that refuses to go away. A fear, perhaps an irrational one, but it’s there. When he’d brought Dom into his home, there was an emotional attachment, a bond. They’d taken the first steps towards building a closer relationship within these walls, and then had fallen in love.
While Billy doesn’t believe that Dom would ever be unfaithful, at least, not deliberately, he can’t get the similarities out of his thoughts. Dom cares so passionately about his work. Who’s to say that he wouldn’t get caught up or things wouldn’t get out of hand? Part of Billy knows that he’s being ridiculous, but still. They’ve been drifting apart lately, always cordial with one another, but the passion that once consumed them has definitely cooled. Billy knows he’s getting older, his waist thicker, ginger hair thinner. Dom’s still young and attractive. It wouldn’t surprise Billy in the least for someone to show romantic interest in Dom.
Tonight, Billy’s quite deliberately left them alone, and come to bed to wait for his lover. Now, more than ever, Billy aches to have his beloved Dommie close to him, bare skin pressed together and bodies curled up under the coverlet. Everything Aaron will need for the evening has been taken care of. All Billy can do is wait patiently and hope that Dom will come to him, seek refuge in his embrace, and soothe his doubts away.
Seemingly automatic, Billy washes his face, brushes his teeth and uses the loo before returning to the bedroom, noticing that he must’ve placed his cup of tea on the night stand, even though he has no memory of doing it. That’s how preoccupied he is. A well worn t-shirt is drawn over Billy’s head after his trousers, shirt and socks are tossed into the laundry, and Billy decides that reading a book might help distract him, and keep him from dwelling on the minutes as they tick by. What’s the worst that can happen? He falls asleep alone and is denied the opportunity to curl up with his lover, to kiss and talk before drifting off, their limbs entwined.
Admittedly, he’s immensely relieved when Dom slips into the bedroom just over ten minutes later, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. At first Dom doesn’t move, leaning against the door and gazing at Billy fondly as he closes his book.
“What?” Billy asks when Dom remains silent.
“I love you,” Dom says simply.
“Well, that’s rather convenient, since I love you, too,” Billy replies, his heartbeat fluttering.
He smiles at Dom, and it grows bigger as his lover closes the distance between them, crawling across the coverlet on his hands and knees until he’s straddling the older man. Mouths come together in a warm, tender kiss, lips parting briefly so tongues can touch, and Dom gasps when Billy’s small hands slip beneath his t-shirt to caress his belly. Long fingers clutch at Billy’s biceps, soft murmurs of pleasure flowing back and forth, and Dom shifts closer, pressing into Billy’s touch.
“You are so good to me,” Dom breathes, lifting is arms above his head to help Billy as his shirt is removed and the coverlet pushed down. “You called when I was worried, wondering what I was going to do. You saved me.”
“I’m just glad you’re home,” Billy replies, grinning when Dom moans at the sensation of his nipples being teased into rosy peaks. “So I can touch you.”
“We should go to bed early more often,” Dom sighs as he’s rolled onto his back and Billy’s delicate fingers deftly open the button and fly of his blue jeans. “Like we used to, yeah?”
Dom wants to say more, but loses the ability to speak when Billy’s pointy tongue swirls around one nipple and then the other before moving lower. Hands stroke his newly exposed belly, and when fingernails scratch ever so gently at Dom’s treasure trail, he groans at the sensation.
“I love how you know my body,” Dom gasps, arching his back and then shifting to raise his hips in order for his denims to be peeled away.
In movements as natural as breathing, Billy’s clothing is discarded so their bodies can come together, and Dom’s efforts to keep quiet are all but shattered when Billy slides in deep and finds his sweet spot. Craving more of his lover, Dom folds himself nearly in half to encourage deeper thrusts, his ankles resting on Billy’s shoulders, their stomachs rubbing together and creating friction for his leaking erection. All too happy to oblige Dom, Billy increases his speed, relentless as he pumps his hips, urging them towards completion at a frantic pace. It’s only after they’ve both found release and are dozing in each others arms that Dom is musing to himself and realizes it’s been a full week since they made love. No wonder Billy was in the mood tonight.
“Bills?”
Snuffling and rubbing his nose against Dom’s hair, Billy replies, “Mmm?”
“I’ll find a place for Aaron tomorrow,” Dom vows. “He won’t be in your way for long, I promise.”
“It’s okay, Dommeh,” Billy says, eyes closed and his voice drowsy. “He doesn’t have to leave. I’m not going to push him out the door.”
“He can stay?”
“I don’t want you worrying about it,” Billy continues before pressing a soft kiss to Dom’s temple. “You work so hard, love. He’s here. He may as well stay for a while.”
“One day I will figure out what I did to deserve you,” Dom whispers, squeezing Billy in a fierce hug until he grunts at the pressure on his ribs.
“You let me love you.”
Billy is losing the battle against sleep, even as he forms the words that have become a mantra between them, and a moment later, his whistling snore fills the quiet.
It would seem that his concerns were unfounded, as illustrated by the eager way in which Dom came to him, and they made love, the younger man surrendering to his touch, trusting him completely and without reservation.
Things will be better now. Having a project closer to home will provide opportunities for Dom to be around the flat more, so he and Billy can see each other for more than just snippets in the morning and at night. Perhaps shag more often, since Billy misses the intimate connection with Dom. Aaron will have a safe place to stay while he and Dom figure out what he’s going to do, Billy will see Dom more often, and Dom can ease up on his punishing schedule at the Centre a wee bit.
Billy figures that all things considered, it’s the likely best option for all of them, or at least, he hopes it is.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
After a few days, the three settle into a routine, getting used to having Aaron around the flat and making any necessary adjustments, most noticeably the amount of groceries required. Billy discovers that Aaron’s actually quite bright when the boy seeks Billy out in the shop after Dom gets called into the Centre, and he helps the older man get caught up on some filing in the office. Since it appears to help Aaron to contribute, Billy allows it, and can’t help but be reminded of Dom, all those years ago.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t take a week before Dom is back to working long hours at the Centre, seemingly more determined than ever. On several occasions Billy tries to speak to Dom, remind him that it’s not a race, but Dom shakes his head as he disagrees with him. It would seem that Dom has developed tunnel-vision, and has convinced himself that if he works hard enough, he can save all those in trouble from a terrible fate. He refuses to accept anything less.
It’s nearly half five on a Thursday when the phone rings at the book shop, and Billy ducks into the office to answer it, leaving Aaron to watch the register for a minute. Although Aaron tries to give Billy some privacy, voices carry, and he can tell by the tone of Billy’s voice that it’s not a happy phone call. A few moments later, the conversation ends, and even though Aaron waits for several minutes, Billy doesn’t return to the front of the book shop. Finally, curiosity gets the better of him and Aaron ducks his head around the corner to peer into the office, only to discover Billy sitting at his desk, head in his hands. The second that Billy catches movement out of the corner of his eye, he sits up and clears his throat before looking over at the younger man.
“Dom’s working late, so I guess it’s you and me for dinner tonight,” Billy tells him, trying to appear casual, but his smile doesn’t come close to reaching his suspiciously bright eyes. “What do you feel like having?”
“I’m not fussy,” Aaron replies quickly, accepting that Billy wants to change the subject. “Is there something you’re in the mood for?”
Billy is quiet for a long moment as he thinks, and he exhales heavily before rising to his feet.
“I want to get out of here for a while,” he announces. “Does pizza sound okay to you?”
“Sure.”
“Mind locking the front door while I take care of the safe?”
“Got it,” Aaron says with a smile. He turns and starts to take care of the task while giving Billy a chance to compose himself in private.
As he draws the blinds and secures the locks, Aaron thinks back to the night he arrived at the book shop with Dom. After they’d all gone to bed, he’d heard muffled sounds of the couple, when they’d clearly been engaged in an intimate act of pleasure, and he also knows that he hasn’t heard those sounds since. Part of him admires Dom’s dedication to the work he does in trying to help others, but he’s also saddened at how Dom’s not doing the same at home. In addition, Aaron can’t help but wonder if he’s partially to blame for this mess, since he’s a disruption to their lives. It doesn’t seem fair for Billy to be so unhappy, and separated from the man he clearly loves.
Within a few minutes, the shop is closed up, and Billy leads the way to Tony’s, where they find a quiet booth and Aaron does his best to distract the older man from his troubles. He manages to get Billy to laugh a couple of times, and they find a number of things to talk about, including authors they’re fond of and movies based on books they’ve enjoyed. By the end of the meal, the weight that’s been sitting on Billy’s shoulders seems to be lighter, his smile more genuine. The leftover pizza is boxed up and Aaron’s not surprised when Billy insists on paying for their meal, even though he offers.
They’re walking back to the book shop when they pause at a street corner, waiting for the traffic lights to change, and Aaron notices that Billy is suddenly quiet, his eyes full of memories. Aaron is careful not to disturb the older man, and gently touches Billy’s elbow to get his attention when it’s their turn to cross the street.
“Sorry,” Billy says as he gives his head a shake. “I was just thinking back to when Dom lived over there. We went for pizza one night.”
“Dom said you’ve been together a long time.”
“Aye, we have,” Billy agrees with a slow nod. “Met him in the pub the first night I moved here.”
For a moment, it’s almost as thought Billy is going to say more, but he apparently changes his mind, and doesn’t speak again until they’re walking up the stairs to the flat above the book shop.
Not surprisingly, Dom isn’t home from the Centre, and in an attempt at distraction, Aaron suggests that they stretch out in front of the television and watch some Monty Python, but it isn’t long before Billy claims to be tired. Watching Billy shuffle down the hall, carrying a tumbler of scotch and his shoulders slumped, the young man wishes there was more he could do.
The shower runs for a long time, and the lights are off in the master bedroom when Dom finally comes home. Aaron is in the living room, curled up in the chair and engrossed in a book from the shop that Billy generously offered to let him read when Dom bounds into the room, grinning from ear to ear.
“Hey,” Aaron says in greeting, marking his page and closing the book to give Dom his full attention. “You’re home.”
“Yeah, I was dropping Drew and Matt off at a group home,” Dom announces with pride. “I begged for the two spots that opened up this morning. It took hours to convince them that they’ll have a real shot at starting over there, but they finally caved.”
The relief in Dom’s expression is unmistakable, that all the time and energy he’s expended wasn’t in vain, because tonight, two young men are in a safe place. They’ve taken their first steps towards a better life.
“That’s great, Dom,” Aaron says with a wobbly smile.
While Aaron is truly happy for the two rent boys he’d gotten to know a wee bit during his time on the street, he can’t get Billy’s sad green eyes out of his thoughts.
“It’s almost forty-five minutes from here, so they’ll be safe,” Dom adds. “Less likely that they’ll- hey, where’s Billy?”
Aaron is disheartened when it takes that long for Dom to discover that his partner is not in the room to share in the news. If even he can tell that Billy is all but falling off Dom’s list of priorities, then there’s little chance that Billy hasn’t realized it as well. That would explain why he was drifting into memories tonight, remembering when he wasn’t merely an afterthought.
“He went to bed a while ago,” Aaron replies. “He said he was tired.”
Dom’s face falls. “Oh.”
“There’s leftover pizza in the fridge if you’re hungry,” he adds. “Billy wasn’t sure if you were going to grab something at the Centre or not.”
“Okay. Thanks.” Dom looks around the room, seeming rather deflated now, as though it’s finally dawned on him how little time he’s spent at the flat of late.
“He’s going to show me how to do inventory tomorrow,” Aaron says with a touch of pride. “So I better get some sleep.”
“He is?”
The younger man nods, causing long strands of white blonde hair fall into his line of vision. “He’s been letting me help out in the shop a bit, actually,” Aaron explains. “I like it, working in the back. He said I didn’t have to talk to customers.”
“Good.”
“See you in the morning?”
“Yeah,” Dom replies, obviously distracted. “Sure.”
“Good night.”
“’Night.”
“Hey, Dom?”
“Yeah?”
“Congratulations,” Aaron tells him sincerely. “I really am happy for you.”
Mutely, Dom nods and then disappears into the kitchen as Aaron heads off to bed. He makes a brief stop in the loo to brush his teeth, and hears the microwave ding just as he steps into the guest room and closes the door. The flat is quiet, and for a little while Aaron can hear the low murmur of the television, and then he falls asleep.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
It’s nearly half two when Aaron awakens, the pressure against his bladder prodding him out of bed to use the facilities. He’s surprised when he notices light coming out of the kitchen when he steps into the hall, and after relieving himself, decides to investigate, wondering if perhaps Dom forgot to turn the light off. Aaron is surprised to find Billy sitting at the kitchen table, scribbling in a notebook, a half empty cup of tea nearby.
“Billy?” he says softly as he enters the room, squinting at the brightness in the room.
Surprised at the sound, Billy looks up with wide eyes. “Hi.”
“Are you okay?
“Fine. I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” Billy inquires as he pushes up the sleeve of his robe with the hand not clutching a pen.
“No,” Aaron replies quickly. “I saw the light and wondered if Dom forgot to turn it off or something.”
“Dom,” Billy repeats under his breath. “Right.”
“He got home just after ten,” Aaron tells Billy, seeing the question in his eyes. “Busy day.”
“Aye, he has a lot of those,” Billy murmurs with a sigh.
A long silence stretches out between them, until Aaron finally speaks up again.
“Are you all right?” he asks tentatively. “I mean, is there something that I can-”
“I’m fine, Aaron,” Billy interrupts gently. “You should go back to bed. It’s late.”
“If you were fine, you wouldn’t be awake in the middle of the night,” Aaron points out.
“I’ve been mulling around an idea in my head for a while, and right now I’m writing it all down so I don’t forget it,” Billy explains. “As soon as I’m done, I’ll go back to bed. I just didn’t want to disturb Dom.”
“Okay,” Aaron says reluctantly. “If there’s something I can do-” When Aaron catches a flicker of interest in Billy’s eyes, he pauses. “Is there, something, I mean?”
“Actually, yes,” Billy admits. “There might be.”
“What is it?”
“Can I run something by you?” Billy asks, trying to keep the uncertainty out of his voice, with limited success. “Get your opinion?”
“Sure.” Before Billy can suggest that they talk in the morning, Aaron drops down into the chair across from him, folds his arms together and rests them on the table. “I’m listening.”
Over the next twenty minutes, Aaron listens attentively as Billy explains his idea, how to get the community involved in the problems of the neighborhood, and make it beneficial for all those involved. It’s a large project, but from what Aaron can tell, Billy’s been thinking about it for quite some time, has been paying attention to the issues that Dom has been fighting. There are a lot of questions yet to be answered, but there is a solid foundation there, and if it does work, the results could be extraordinary.
“Well?” Billy asks nervously when he’s finally finished laying out the details. “Is it absolute shite? Complete rubbish?”
“I think it’s amazing, Billy,” Aaron tells him, touched at the thought that has gone into the idea. It’s clear that Billy wants to support Dom in this fight, and to help those in desperate need.
“So, you’d be interested in something like that?”
“Absolutely,” Aaron agrees fervently. “It’s not a band aid. It’s a structured plan that can be adjusted to meet the specific needs of each person, and give them a chance to help themselves. A hand up, not a hand out.”
“Really?”
“Why haven’t you told Dom about this?” Aaron asks without thinking, regretting the question immediately when the light disappears from Billy’s eyes. “Sorry.”
“He’s busy,” Billy replies, shrugging and attempting to appear unaffected. “Things will slow down soon, and then we can talk about it.”
“I think it’s an incredible idea, Billy. Really great.”
“Well then, I guess it means I need to keep working on it,” Billy decides as he closes his notebook. “Dom’s birthday is coming up pretty quick. Maybe I’ll tell him then.”
“It is? When?”
“Next Wednesday,” Billy replies. “He’s going to be twenty-seven years old.”
“I think that’ll be a great present for him,” Aaron says, nodding in agreement. “Perfect, actually.”
Billy ducks his head as a blush colors his cheeks. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“We should get back to bed,” Billy says after glancing at the clock on the wall. “It’s after three.”
“Yeah. Inventory in the morning,” Aaron adds with a smile.
“Aye.”
Together, they rise from the table, Billy turning off the light before moving down the hall. At the guest room, he pauses and turns to face Aaron.
“Thank you, for listening,” he says quietly. “I appreciate it.”
“I’m glad you told me,” Aaron replies earnestly. “And I hope I get to be part of what you’re trying to do.”
“Me, too.”
“G’night, Billy.”
“See you in the morning.”
Just like when he silently slipped out of the bedroom nearly an hour ago, Dom is fast asleep when Billy slides back under the coverlet and stretches out on the mattress next to him. For several minutes Billy gazes at his sleeping lover in the moonlight, longing to gather the younger man up in his arms and kiss him. There was a time when he would’ve done just that, and it would’ve resulted in slow, sleepy lovemaking, but with Dom’s schedule these days, it doesn’t seem to be the right time. Things to use to feel effortless no longer are, and the distance between them feels much bigger than the few inches that separate them at this very moment.
Eventually, Billy’s eyelids start to grow heavy, and after stifling a yawn, he carefully rolls forward to brush a kiss to Dom’s mussed hair, and then settles into his pillow and lets his eyes close, hoping that he’ll dream of them together.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Weak, winter sunlight streams through the windows of the café as a man sitting alone sips a hot cup of black coffee while he reads his newspaper. His body language, even while seated, is intimidating, and it ensures that he’s not disturbed unless absolutely necessary. The newspaper is spread out on the table in front of him, his focus directed on an article written about a recent addition to the staff of the local Community Drop-in Centre, Dominic Monaghan, and the improvements he’s hoping to make in the neighborhood.
With great interest, the man reads how the dedicated young man describes the close friend who helped him, and because of that friendship, he was able to escape life on the street. He gives credit to taking small steps, in the form of working at Boyd’s House of Books, slowly learning how to make his own way in a safe environment, how he went on to finish his A levels, and then attended university.
The name in the article is a familiar one to the man, as he’s heard it quietly murmured among the people of the neighborhood. He knows that this Dominic is responsible for a number of rent boys leaving, resulting in less revenue for his business. Others before Dominic have come and gone, but he seems to be different from them, and despite the odds against him, remains seemingly optimistic about the future. Rather determined, as a matter of fact. After scanning the stretch of paragraphs again, the man’s dark eyes move lower, across the pages to an advertisement in the lower right corner with a familiar name. Boyd’s.
Reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket, the man withdraws a mobile phone and swiftly dials a number. He waits a few moments as the line rings, letting a slow, dangerous smile turn up the corners of his mouth.
When someone answers the phone, he leans back in his chair and says, “I know how to take care of our problem.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
On the morning of Dom’s birthday, Billy rises early, sneaking out of bed to prepare their ritual pancake breakfast in bed. It’s a tradition that they’ve upheld through the years, during good times and bad, using it as a way to connect with each other, and remember how they felt during those first days of love. In five years, they’ve never missed the opportunity to indulge in one another. Happier than he’s felt in weeks, Billy hums a cheerful tune under his breath as he moves around the kitchen, setting up the tray with coffee and tea, bacon crackling in the frying pan, and a growing stack of golden pancakes artfully arranged on a plate next to the cooker.
Billy is putting the finishing touches on the tray when he hears movement behind him, and spins around on his heel, hoping that it’s not Dom. To his relief, it’s Aaron, in his pajamas, hair tousled, grinning at him.
“Don’t look so happy to see me,” the younger man teases. “You’ll make Dom jealous.”
“Sorry. I just wanted this-”
“To be a surprise for him,” Aaron supplies. “I get it.”
His brow furrowing, Billy looks around the now messy kitchen. “There’s some bacon and-”
“Billy, I can take care of myself,” Aaron interrupts. “You better hurry before Dom smells that bacon and wakes up.”
“Thank you.”
Picking up the tray, Billy starts to hurry over to the doorway, only to stop short when there is movement down the hall, coming from the master bedroom.
“Shite,” Billy curses under his breath. “He’s awake.”
“So, show him what you've got and you two can go back to bed,” Aaron urges in a hoarse whisper, not wanting Dom to hear their conversation. “Go on.”
“Bills?” Dom calls, clearly distracted. “I need to go in early this morning. I’ll see you tonight, yeah?”
Aaron watches Billy’s face fall, the joy that was there replaced by sadness in almost the blink of an eye.
“Aye,” Billy manages to choke out. “Have a good day.”
“Thanks.”
The front door to the flat closes sharply, and Dom’s footsteps quickly fade as he hurries down to the main level.
“Happy Birthday,” Billy adds quietly before setting the tray down on the kitchen table, his small hands faintly trembling as he struggles to control his emotions as the pain washes over him in crashing waves.
Wishing there was something he could do to do to ease Billy’s distress, Aaron tentatively steps closer, and slowly extends a hand.
“Billy-”
“Food shouldn’t go to waste,” Billy interrupts briskly. “And it’s getting cold. Help yourself, okay?”
“But Billy-”
“I need to get dressed.”
Even as Aaron starts touch his shoulder, Billy turns and all but flees from the kitchen, his robe flowing behind him, he’s moving so fast. Aaron takes several steps after the older man, but pauses when he hears a sharp intake of breath, Billy losing the battle to hide the hurt and seeking privacy until he can compose himself. Looking over at the apparently wasted lengths that Billy went to in order to do something special for Dom’s birthday, and the dirty pans on the cooker, Aaron picks up the plate of pancakes and starts to scrape them into the rubbish bin under the sink It’s bad enough that Billy has been forgotten and pushed aside by the man he loves, he shouldn’t have to clean up as well, and Aaron is certainly not going to benefit from Billy’s hard work. The pancakes were not made for him, and he doesn’t want any part of them.
The young man works silently and efficiently, rinsing and then loading the dirty plates into the dishwasher, followed by the pans. Lastly, he wipes the countertops and the table, tucking away the bottle of syrup that Billy had left out in his excitement. The electric kettle is turned on to boil water for tea, and after debating for a couple of minutes, Aaron finally decides to make some porridge, hoping that perhaps Billy will eventually reappear, and want something to eat.
He’s sitting at the table with a half empty bowl of the sticky cereal when Billy walks into the room, and watches as the Scotsman stops short, his gaze sliding around the room.
“Aaron, you didn’t have to-”
“I made porridge,” he interjects. “There’s some extra in the pot if you want.”
Their eyes meet, and no words are necessary for Billy to express his gratitude, because Aaron can see it. Billy exhales a quiet sigh, and purses his lips in thought.
“I appreciate it, but I’m not really hungry,” he tells the younger man. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
Billy shifts awkwardly from one foot to the other. “I, uh, I’ve got paperwork to catch up on in the office, so-”
Nodding, Aaron doesn’t force the issue, understanding that what Billy needs right now is some distraction. There will be plenty of time to be sad, but for now, he needs to focus on something else. Escape it for a wee bit.
“Aaron?”
Surprised at the sound of his name, he looks up. “Yeah?”
“Thank you,” Billy says solemnly. “Really.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’ll see you later.”
“Okay.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Chapter 35