Book 4, Chapter 7: The Cure for Our Bad Deeds
Title: The Cure for Our Bad Deeds, 1/2
Authors: kiltsandlollies and escribo
Characters: Billy/Dominic
Word count:3674
Summary: It was a dark and stormy night.
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 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.
Billy's been driving for hours now, trying to outrun the clouds and his own thoughts. It's a losing battle, but one he enjoys fighting while watching the miles fall in front of him. He'd intended to turn himself and Dominic back home to Baskerville sometime in the late afternoon, but after stops to gather a late lunch and stretch their legs, Billy had climbed back into the car and picked up another road, one he'd never taken before. Until the sun had gone down the drive had been enchanting, and the company for the most part even more so. Dominic had slept on and off through the day, but when awake he'd been quietly cheerful, indulging Billy's sudden turns off the motorway to look at this river or that ruin, and even asleep he'd been an excellent subject of Billy's contemplation.
They've survived another week, and this one well, Billy thinks; Dominic's been more engaged in his classes and with his friends, and in Billy's home he's begun to relax again, unafraid to wander off in opposite directions from Billy when he's needed or wanted to, and better able to ask for other things he's needed and wanted, most of which Billy's been able to give. He's also felt comfortable offering things Billy had never expected, including one evening's gift of a sketched portrait Dominic had asked his friend Gian to create, a thing of beauty meant to replace the photograph Dominic had destroyed and left for Billy to burn. Long after Dominic had fallen asleep that evening, Billy had returned to his front room and held the sketch in both hands, appreciating both artistry and intent, and aching to do better, to capture Dominic again in a kinder setting, to do him justice in two dimensions and more. Every few moments on this drive, Billy's turned to see Dominic's profile lit by the sun or the instruments on the dashboard, and as Dominic slept, Billy had thought of at least one way to accomplish that goal, a way that would require Dominic to trust him as he always has but would earn them both a reward a hundred easier challenges could not.
There are still things they've not spoken about or dealt with otherwise, but it never seems the right time, and Billy, never the hardest man in the world to distract, has been almost eager to find the distractions necessary to simply keep them going from day to day, night to night. The long-awaited telephone call from Billy's doctor had finally come, an agonizing two days later than first expected, and it had brought them mostly uplifting news. Dominic's general health is good, though he still weighs less than he should and likely has the sleep of ten men to catch up on, and there is no reason why he and Billy could not resume their relationship as before, barring of course the main reason they've chosen to ignore. Even carrying this knowledge, Billy's been hesitant to do more than extend his greedy touches somewhat, and he's aware of Dominic's frustration but been able to do little to resolve it.
The skies have picked up on that frustration, too, it feels like; the rain that's fallen steadily for some time this day has taken a sharp turn into a proper storm, and the artillery-fire barrage of rain and wind pounds against the car, blurring the windshield well beyond the powers of the wiper blades and making Billy squint and frown and hold the steering wheel a little more tightly. It's a double punch, this, Billy thinks; dirty weather plus being almost completely lost in the middle of nowhere, England, on what's suddenly become not the best road he's ever driven, by a wide measure. Billy typically prides himself on an utter command of his car--its quirks much like his own, its looks as mildly battered, too, though both clean up well when necessary--but the machine's handling is not all it could be anymore, after several years of Billy's impatience and frequent desire for escape. Still, Billy's surprised by how rough the going suddenly is, and when his left tires suddenly veer off and spin on a particularly slick patch then judder harshly over a torn-up section of road, Billy gasps and steers out of the slide, wincing as both he and Dominic are knocked about in the seats, Billy against his window and Dominic tilting toward the gear shift, caught in his fall by a hand Billy takes from the wheel only just long enough. Dominic blinks himself awake and resettles, pushing one hand through his hair and yawning.
"Where are we?" Dominic asks, his voice calm, and Billy thinks perhaps he's gotten away with it, that Dominic hadn't known exactly how much danger they'd both been in for that moment. He checks his speed, his heart pounding hard in his chest, and pretends to look out into the darkness for clues to a response. It's become a common question from Dominic, and Billy knows he could say anything, could tell Dominic they were anywhere in the world, and Dominic would nod, trusting that Billy had found their path rather than lost their way. He wonders for a moment at that easy trust, something he's never had, and takes his eyes from the road again, aware that he's taking another chance, to look at Dominic.
"Further north than I meant to go. Should have got off the road before this storm started."
Dominic's grin moves slowly across his face, and Billy has a hard time turning from it. There has always been more invitation in one of Dominic's smiles than most could muster with words. He hates to think now of who else has been tempted to accept that invitation, but knows he could put name to at least one person. That Elijah always seems a shadowy presence in their lives since they've been back together is more his own fault than Dominic's, Billy thinks. He's hated it but knows that Dominic would hate it more if he knew everything Elijah had told Billy and what Billy's own thoughts have done with the information--if he doesn't know already. Another quick glance shows Billy that Dominic is still watching him, his eyes still sleepy, but there's a hunger there, too. "Should have had you watching the map for me, or at least the sky."
"You should have woken me."
"You needed the rest."
"I won't sleep tonight." There's something in Dominic's voice, the same something that's been gnawing at Billy, and Billy turns his eyes from the road again to see the challenge in Dominic's eyes, the same one he's thrust out to Billy for weeks now and Billy hasn't taken up. A bright little spark of irritation combined with mirrored need makes Billy's eyes dart to his mirrors to check the road, and then he brakes hard and throws the car into park abruptly. Dominic lets out a surprised breath, but before he can speak, Billy wraps his hand around Dominic's neck and brings him close, sharing breath with him for a moment before he kisses him, pulling away only when he has to and smiling at the sight of Dominic's tiredly dazed but happy reaction. It had been a risk to stop the car like that, and Billy's own words come back to him--no stupid chances taken just because they're there--but he can't help asking himself what else has been the foundation of this relationship with Dominic except chance and risk.
"You'll sleep," Billy says, his voice confident and a little harsher than he means it to be. Whether from actual need for it or something more they haven't talked about, Dominic's done little else beyond his classwork but sleep since in the weeks they've been back together, catching up on a deficit that Billy can't even begin to imagine, or maybe just chooses not to. "So will I. I've had about enough of this road, and don't think I like admitting it."
"We're not going back?" Dominic doesn't sound bothered by the implication, and Billy shakes his head.
"Not in this weather. I want a bed and some fucking tea, and this poor car needs the rest as much as we do."
Dominic laughs, a dry little sound, and peers out the windows as much as he can. Billy knows all he can see are the outlines of buildings--old shops and older houses, very few lit up within or without. "Doesn't look like a lot of people get up here, Billy. Be lucky to find a Travelodge."
"Be lucky to find anything. Good thing I'm such brilliant company, isn't it. It'll make up for the surroundings."
Dominic laughs again, and then he's quiet, looking at Billy for some time before his fingers brush over Billy's hand and he looks back out the window. Billy concentrates harder on the road, thankful that there are now streetlights at least to guide them, and he smacks the wheel lightly as he sees a sign welcoming guests to this little town and pointing the way to a small hotel around the next corner.
"Up ahead," Billy says decisively, and Dominic follows his gaze. "We'll stop there."
"Looks a bit dodgy."
Billy glances at Dominic. "We'll fit right in, then, won't we."
Dominic ducks his head but offers a conciliatory smile, and Billy works the car into a tight space on the street across from the hotel. He leaves it idling as he measures the distance he'll have to run, and sighs, turning to face Dominic.
"Stay here. If I'm not back within ten minutes, feel free to take the car back home. All I've got is a mortgage and old books, but you're welcome to them. They'll identify me from the dental fillings, yeah?"
Dominic leans back in his seat and smiles again, tiredly, and Billy steps from the car and scrambles for the front door of the building, dodging the worst of the puddles but getting drenched nonetheless, shaking off as much of it as he can before he advances toward the little counter set well back in what Billy decides is meant to be a foyer. A near-elderly man comes from around a corner to meet him, eyebrows raised in a mixture of amusement and suspicion that on any other night would make Billy's hackles rise in return, but tonight Billy just offers the man a polite smile, pushing his wet hair back and reaching for his wallet.
It's not an intense negotiation that follows; Billy's certain he needs to get out of the rain more than the man needs to fill one of his last empty rooms for the night, and he hands over more cash than that room is likely to merit in exchange for an old key and a handful of tea bags, the best anyone could likely do for him and Dominic at this hour, he supposes. The room's at the back of the building, with its own possibly terrifying entrance, and at this point, Billy doesn't actually care; he's slept more roughly than this, though he doesn't plan on sharing that information with Dominic just yet, and Dominic's tired enough--despite his protestations otherwise--that he's likely to overlook nearly any bedsit horror as long as the bed's large enough for them both.
"Mind yourself," the old man says as Billy reaches for the door back out into the rain. "The way 'round back's a bit torn up. We're not in season, and I've been doing a bit of work--"
"Not a problem," Billy interrupts him, then opens his hand in an apology. "Sorry. 's just--I've been on the road all day--"
"Go on, then," the man laughs. 'Y'look it, too, if y'don't mind me saying so."
There's no dredging up another smile; Billy just squares his shoulders and dashes back out to the car, falling into the seat gratefully and trying not to shiver visibly as he and Dominic begin to gather their small possessions from the day. Bottles of water join the takeaway containers left over from lunch, and Billy catches sight of an apple and half a bar of chocolate in the bag as well, blessing their presence silently; he can make a feast out of all this and tea if necessary and if he and Dominic don't simply fall to their backs asleep within minutes.
"We'll have to make another run for it," Billy says as he puts the car in gear again and turns around yet another bumpy corner, to the back of the building. "And then I'm spending the night on the fucking radiator, I am."
"You're actually suggesting I have a bit of a run in the rain." Dominic's smile this time is wide and genuine, though still tired, and Billy returns it for a moment, reaching again for him and massaging Dominic's neck as he looks his fill at Dominic's bright eyes and Dominic doesn't look away.
"We'll be careful," Billy says, and then nods shortly. "And maybe a little less clever. Ready?"
Dominic nods too, and then they make their break, running for the door to the room. The key sticks in the lock, and Dominic says nothing as Billy struggles with it, but his impatience comes off him in waves as he leans over Billy, shielding him a little from the continued drenching until the door swings open. They're barely inside before Dominic is stripping his wet clothes and Billy, his hands full, watches, as ever both astonished by and envious of Dominic's confidence in his body and willingness to share it. Dominic stretches long and high and then wanders into the small bathroom, releasing a little noise of amusement before he comes back out.
"Feels like the residence halls," he yawns, then takes the bag from Billy's hands. "Better than the car, though, yeah?"
"I don't know," Billy murmurs, turning finally to bend and peer at the room's thermostat, more complicated than Billy had expected and certainly nothing like the radiator he'd planned to wrap himself around. "I've had a few sleeps in my car. It's not the worst place to be."
Dominic tilts his head and smiles as if waiting for more, but it doesn't come, and so he shrugs, digging out the apple and biting into it before extending it to Billy, who shakes his head and turns the knob of the thermostat, jacking the temperature to its warmest by accident and then sighing as the knob comes off in his hand with a tired, ancient sounding click. Billy tips his head back, too tired to even choose the most appropriate expletive, and then looks over his shoulder to see Dominic hasn't noticed--he's busying himself with the little electric kettle, filling it from the bathroom tap and then making his way back to Billy for the tea bags Billy hands over without a word. Dominic sets the cups and kettle before he slides back into Billy's arms, tugging at Billy's jacket and seemingly not too concerned by the cold and damp of Billy clothes and hair and skin.
"Let's get this off," he says quietly, though, sounding as if if they're in the front room of Billy's house, releasing themselves from a long day. Dominic brushes kisses over Billy's lips, his chin and cheekbones, and Billy closes his eyes and lets his shoulders sag under Dominic's touch, lets his breathing slow and his thoughts go kind. He could stand like this for a long while, he thinks, letting Dominic tend to him a bit, and more, he could easily climb into that bed, however horrible it's likely to be, and sleep for even longer, racing Dominic into dreams and keeping them both there. Dominic's hands are on Billy's chest, working the buttons of Billy's shirt open, when the kettle hisses and steams, and Billy opens his eyes like he's waking up from one of those dreams, catching Dominic's hands and squeezing them gently before he steps out of Dominic's reach and toward the tea.
Dominic's silent as Billy pours, but when Billy turns to offer him one of the cups, he finds Dominic's crawled onto the bed, stretching again and just barely propping himself up on the pillows, one arm behind him supporting his head. He looks a little debauched, a little sad, but mostly tired and beautiful to Billy's eyes, and Billy leans against the room's chair for support of his own, watching Dominic from above the rim of his cup.
"This was good," Dominic says, still quietly. "Today. Tonight, even. I like getting away from Baskerville." Billy nods, and Dominic looks at the ceiling and then back at Billy, that slow smile coming over him again. "If you keep getting us lost, there'll be no place left to be lost, though, yeah?"
"We've got a long way to go before that happens." Billy takes a long swallow of the tea, letting it warm him, and closes his eyes again. "I love my house. There are days when I even love Baskerville. I just--there are times when it's better somewhere else. Safer, like. And if you say things where you won't hear the echoes of them later--" Billy stops himself and puts the cup down on the table, advancing toward the bed while Dominic stares at him, looking for all the world like he's holding his breath. Billy works to not smile, to not relish that little moment of uncertainty in Dominic's expression after weeks of the dares Dominic's thrown him with those eyes. It would be unkind to rattle Dominic more, Billy knows, but the desire's there nonetheless, ugly and real and pointless, and Billy sighs as he pushes it away, working off his shirt and trousers before he sits down on the mattress.
Dominic's touch to his back is a curious one, and Billy closes his eyes again, enjoying it. "'s getting warmer, I think. Maybe I'm just imagining it."
Billy nods, then reaches to turn off the light before he settles beside Dominic, facing him. "Did you want to sleep?" Dominic laughs and shakes his head, moving closer, and Billy takes a deep breath, pulling him into the little space left between them. "Imagine something else for me, Dom. Imagine I'm better at this than I am, and I'm not getting us lost every single fucking time."
"Billy--"
"I'm thirty-five," Billy says quietly. "You said you didn't know, and I'm telling you. I'm thirty-five. I've got a sister. Sometimes she has a brother. My parents are dead; it was a long time ago, for both of them. I made a massive mistake before I left St. Andrews for Baskerville, and I'm still paying for it. I drink too much. I smoke more than that. I lost my mind a little before I finished my doctorate. Not like you're supposed to; it was worse, and I'm paying for that, too. I bought my house because it and the car are all I've got. I've burnt bridges that weren't even fully built yet, Dom. I'm not who you think I am, but I want to be." He takes another breath and curves his hand around Dominic's neck again to touch their foreheads together, letting them just share a moment of quiet. "I should let you rest, whether you want it or not."
"I don't want to sleep."
Dominic's voice sounds breathless to Billy's ears, maybe even a little stunned. Billy leans in and kisses Dominic gently, nudging his cheek against Dominic's as he pulls back. "I want you to, Dom. I need you to. I need to just--" Billy breaks off, easing Dominic to turn over and onto his side and pulling Dominic's back against his chest. Billy feels somewhat breathless and stunned himself, unsure why he'd said everything he had and knowing that it wasn't enough. For a long time he and Dominic both lie still and quiet, neither talking, neither knowing what to say, Billy supposes. Dominic succumbs first to sleep, as Billy expected him to, but he doesn't go without a fight; Billy can almost hear the questions on his lips before Dominic silences them, trying to form them better. Sleep, Billy thinks, and strokes his hand up and down Dominic's arm slowly until Dominic does, leaving Billy alone with his thoughts and the rain again, both stormy, both wild and lulling at the same time.
It is getting warmer in the room, enough that Billy relaxes under it and only his hand continues to move, lightly over Dominic's skin as if by its own volition. Billy's eyes close but he doesn't exactly sleep himself; instead he lets his mind clear of everything but how he feels now: like a shambling fugitive on the run, his accomplice willing to take the punishment for both their crimes when Billy can't talk them out of it. They've escaped for the moment, but to what. For what feels like hours Billy let his thoughts go round and round in his head, until he almost wants to laugh, but on the edge of real sleep he finds himself walking away from it, forcing his eyes open again to stare at the ceiling. It's his mind that's exhausted, not his body, and Billy wonders if Dominic's transferred his restlessness somehow, sharing whatever runs hot and quick in his blood with Billy in exchange for Billy's quieter typical rest. It's not a bad trade, and well-timed, as these things go, Billy thinks; why waste this time on sleep alone? But sleep is what he's begged Dominic to do, and until he wakes Billy will leave him to it.
To be continued.
Authors: kiltsandlollies and escribo
Characters: Billy/Dominic
Word count:3674
Summary: It was a dark and stormy night.
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 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.
Billy's been driving for hours now, trying to outrun the clouds and his own thoughts. It's a losing battle, but one he enjoys fighting while watching the miles fall in front of him. He'd intended to turn himself and Dominic back home to Baskerville sometime in the late afternoon, but after stops to gather a late lunch and stretch their legs, Billy had climbed back into the car and picked up another road, one he'd never taken before. Until the sun had gone down the drive had been enchanting, and the company for the most part even more so. Dominic had slept on and off through the day, but when awake he'd been quietly cheerful, indulging Billy's sudden turns off the motorway to look at this river or that ruin, and even asleep he'd been an excellent subject of Billy's contemplation.
They've survived another week, and this one well, Billy thinks; Dominic's been more engaged in his classes and with his friends, and in Billy's home he's begun to relax again, unafraid to wander off in opposite directions from Billy when he's needed or wanted to, and better able to ask for other things he's needed and wanted, most of which Billy's been able to give. He's also felt comfortable offering things Billy had never expected, including one evening's gift of a sketched portrait Dominic had asked his friend Gian to create, a thing of beauty meant to replace the photograph Dominic had destroyed and left for Billy to burn. Long after Dominic had fallen asleep that evening, Billy had returned to his front room and held the sketch in both hands, appreciating both artistry and intent, and aching to do better, to capture Dominic again in a kinder setting, to do him justice in two dimensions and more. Every few moments on this drive, Billy's turned to see Dominic's profile lit by the sun or the instruments on the dashboard, and as Dominic slept, Billy had thought of at least one way to accomplish that goal, a way that would require Dominic to trust him as he always has but would earn them both a reward a hundred easier challenges could not.
There are still things they've not spoken about or dealt with otherwise, but it never seems the right time, and Billy, never the hardest man in the world to distract, has been almost eager to find the distractions necessary to simply keep them going from day to day, night to night. The long-awaited telephone call from Billy's doctor had finally come, an agonizing two days later than first expected, and it had brought them mostly uplifting news. Dominic's general health is good, though he still weighs less than he should and likely has the sleep of ten men to catch up on, and there is no reason why he and Billy could not resume their relationship as before, barring of course the main reason they've chosen to ignore. Even carrying this knowledge, Billy's been hesitant to do more than extend his greedy touches somewhat, and he's aware of Dominic's frustration but been able to do little to resolve it.
The skies have picked up on that frustration, too, it feels like; the rain that's fallen steadily for some time this day has taken a sharp turn into a proper storm, and the artillery-fire barrage of rain and wind pounds against the car, blurring the windshield well beyond the powers of the wiper blades and making Billy squint and frown and hold the steering wheel a little more tightly. It's a double punch, this, Billy thinks; dirty weather plus being almost completely lost in the middle of nowhere, England, on what's suddenly become not the best road he's ever driven, by a wide measure. Billy typically prides himself on an utter command of his car--its quirks much like his own, its looks as mildly battered, too, though both clean up well when necessary--but the machine's handling is not all it could be anymore, after several years of Billy's impatience and frequent desire for escape. Still, Billy's surprised by how rough the going suddenly is, and when his left tires suddenly veer off and spin on a particularly slick patch then judder harshly over a torn-up section of road, Billy gasps and steers out of the slide, wincing as both he and Dominic are knocked about in the seats, Billy against his window and Dominic tilting toward the gear shift, caught in his fall by a hand Billy takes from the wheel only just long enough. Dominic blinks himself awake and resettles, pushing one hand through his hair and yawning.
"Where are we?" Dominic asks, his voice calm, and Billy thinks perhaps he's gotten away with it, that Dominic hadn't known exactly how much danger they'd both been in for that moment. He checks his speed, his heart pounding hard in his chest, and pretends to look out into the darkness for clues to a response. It's become a common question from Dominic, and Billy knows he could say anything, could tell Dominic they were anywhere in the world, and Dominic would nod, trusting that Billy had found their path rather than lost their way. He wonders for a moment at that easy trust, something he's never had, and takes his eyes from the road again, aware that he's taking another chance, to look at Dominic.
"Further north than I meant to go. Should have got off the road before this storm started."
Dominic's grin moves slowly across his face, and Billy has a hard time turning from it. There has always been more invitation in one of Dominic's smiles than most could muster with words. He hates to think now of who else has been tempted to accept that invitation, but knows he could put name to at least one person. That Elijah always seems a shadowy presence in their lives since they've been back together is more his own fault than Dominic's, Billy thinks. He's hated it but knows that Dominic would hate it more if he knew everything Elijah had told Billy and what Billy's own thoughts have done with the information--if he doesn't know already. Another quick glance shows Billy that Dominic is still watching him, his eyes still sleepy, but there's a hunger there, too. "Should have had you watching the map for me, or at least the sky."
"You should have woken me."
"You needed the rest."
"I won't sleep tonight." There's something in Dominic's voice, the same something that's been gnawing at Billy, and Billy turns his eyes from the road again to see the challenge in Dominic's eyes, the same one he's thrust out to Billy for weeks now and Billy hasn't taken up. A bright little spark of irritation combined with mirrored need makes Billy's eyes dart to his mirrors to check the road, and then he brakes hard and throws the car into park abruptly. Dominic lets out a surprised breath, but before he can speak, Billy wraps his hand around Dominic's neck and brings him close, sharing breath with him for a moment before he kisses him, pulling away only when he has to and smiling at the sight of Dominic's tiredly dazed but happy reaction. It had been a risk to stop the car like that, and Billy's own words come back to him--no stupid chances taken just because they're there--but he can't help asking himself what else has been the foundation of this relationship with Dominic except chance and risk.
"You'll sleep," Billy says, his voice confident and a little harsher than he means it to be. Whether from actual need for it or something more they haven't talked about, Dominic's done little else beyond his classwork but sleep since in the weeks they've been back together, catching up on a deficit that Billy can't even begin to imagine, or maybe just chooses not to. "So will I. I've had about enough of this road, and don't think I like admitting it."
"We're not going back?" Dominic doesn't sound bothered by the implication, and Billy shakes his head.
"Not in this weather. I want a bed and some fucking tea, and this poor car needs the rest as much as we do."
Dominic laughs, a dry little sound, and peers out the windows as much as he can. Billy knows all he can see are the outlines of buildings--old shops and older houses, very few lit up within or without. "Doesn't look like a lot of people get up here, Billy. Be lucky to find a Travelodge."
"Be lucky to find anything. Good thing I'm such brilliant company, isn't it. It'll make up for the surroundings."
Dominic laughs again, and then he's quiet, looking at Billy for some time before his fingers brush over Billy's hand and he looks back out the window. Billy concentrates harder on the road, thankful that there are now streetlights at least to guide them, and he smacks the wheel lightly as he sees a sign welcoming guests to this little town and pointing the way to a small hotel around the next corner.
"Up ahead," Billy says decisively, and Dominic follows his gaze. "We'll stop there."
"Looks a bit dodgy."
Billy glances at Dominic. "We'll fit right in, then, won't we."
Dominic ducks his head but offers a conciliatory smile, and Billy works the car into a tight space on the street across from the hotel. He leaves it idling as he measures the distance he'll have to run, and sighs, turning to face Dominic.
"Stay here. If I'm not back within ten minutes, feel free to take the car back home. All I've got is a mortgage and old books, but you're welcome to them. They'll identify me from the dental fillings, yeah?"
Dominic leans back in his seat and smiles again, tiredly, and Billy steps from the car and scrambles for the front door of the building, dodging the worst of the puddles but getting drenched nonetheless, shaking off as much of it as he can before he advances toward the little counter set well back in what Billy decides is meant to be a foyer. A near-elderly man comes from around a corner to meet him, eyebrows raised in a mixture of amusement and suspicion that on any other night would make Billy's hackles rise in return, but tonight Billy just offers the man a polite smile, pushing his wet hair back and reaching for his wallet.
It's not an intense negotiation that follows; Billy's certain he needs to get out of the rain more than the man needs to fill one of his last empty rooms for the night, and he hands over more cash than that room is likely to merit in exchange for an old key and a handful of tea bags, the best anyone could likely do for him and Dominic at this hour, he supposes. The room's at the back of the building, with its own possibly terrifying entrance, and at this point, Billy doesn't actually care; he's slept more roughly than this, though he doesn't plan on sharing that information with Dominic just yet, and Dominic's tired enough--despite his protestations otherwise--that he's likely to overlook nearly any bedsit horror as long as the bed's large enough for them both.
"Mind yourself," the old man says as Billy reaches for the door back out into the rain. "The way 'round back's a bit torn up. We're not in season, and I've been doing a bit of work--"
"Not a problem," Billy interrupts him, then opens his hand in an apology. "Sorry. 's just--I've been on the road all day--"
"Go on, then," the man laughs. 'Y'look it, too, if y'don't mind me saying so."
There's no dredging up another smile; Billy just squares his shoulders and dashes back out to the car, falling into the seat gratefully and trying not to shiver visibly as he and Dominic begin to gather their small possessions from the day. Bottles of water join the takeaway containers left over from lunch, and Billy catches sight of an apple and half a bar of chocolate in the bag as well, blessing their presence silently; he can make a feast out of all this and tea if necessary and if he and Dominic don't simply fall to their backs asleep within minutes.
"We'll have to make another run for it," Billy says as he puts the car in gear again and turns around yet another bumpy corner, to the back of the building. "And then I'm spending the night on the fucking radiator, I am."
"You're actually suggesting I have a bit of a run in the rain." Dominic's smile this time is wide and genuine, though still tired, and Billy returns it for a moment, reaching again for him and massaging Dominic's neck as he looks his fill at Dominic's bright eyes and Dominic doesn't look away.
"We'll be careful," Billy says, and then nods shortly. "And maybe a little less clever. Ready?"
Dominic nods too, and then they make their break, running for the door to the room. The key sticks in the lock, and Dominic says nothing as Billy struggles with it, but his impatience comes off him in waves as he leans over Billy, shielding him a little from the continued drenching until the door swings open. They're barely inside before Dominic is stripping his wet clothes and Billy, his hands full, watches, as ever both astonished by and envious of Dominic's confidence in his body and willingness to share it. Dominic stretches long and high and then wanders into the small bathroom, releasing a little noise of amusement before he comes back out.
"Feels like the residence halls," he yawns, then takes the bag from Billy's hands. "Better than the car, though, yeah?"
"I don't know," Billy murmurs, turning finally to bend and peer at the room's thermostat, more complicated than Billy had expected and certainly nothing like the radiator he'd planned to wrap himself around. "I've had a few sleeps in my car. It's not the worst place to be."
Dominic tilts his head and smiles as if waiting for more, but it doesn't come, and so he shrugs, digging out the apple and biting into it before extending it to Billy, who shakes his head and turns the knob of the thermostat, jacking the temperature to its warmest by accident and then sighing as the knob comes off in his hand with a tired, ancient sounding click. Billy tips his head back, too tired to even choose the most appropriate expletive, and then looks over his shoulder to see Dominic hasn't noticed--he's busying himself with the little electric kettle, filling it from the bathroom tap and then making his way back to Billy for the tea bags Billy hands over without a word. Dominic sets the cups and kettle before he slides back into Billy's arms, tugging at Billy's jacket and seemingly not too concerned by the cold and damp of Billy clothes and hair and skin.
"Let's get this off," he says quietly, though, sounding as if if they're in the front room of Billy's house, releasing themselves from a long day. Dominic brushes kisses over Billy's lips, his chin and cheekbones, and Billy closes his eyes and lets his shoulders sag under Dominic's touch, lets his breathing slow and his thoughts go kind. He could stand like this for a long while, he thinks, letting Dominic tend to him a bit, and more, he could easily climb into that bed, however horrible it's likely to be, and sleep for even longer, racing Dominic into dreams and keeping them both there. Dominic's hands are on Billy's chest, working the buttons of Billy's shirt open, when the kettle hisses and steams, and Billy opens his eyes like he's waking up from one of those dreams, catching Dominic's hands and squeezing them gently before he steps out of Dominic's reach and toward the tea.
Dominic's silent as Billy pours, but when Billy turns to offer him one of the cups, he finds Dominic's crawled onto the bed, stretching again and just barely propping himself up on the pillows, one arm behind him supporting his head. He looks a little debauched, a little sad, but mostly tired and beautiful to Billy's eyes, and Billy leans against the room's chair for support of his own, watching Dominic from above the rim of his cup.
"This was good," Dominic says, still quietly. "Today. Tonight, even. I like getting away from Baskerville." Billy nods, and Dominic looks at the ceiling and then back at Billy, that slow smile coming over him again. "If you keep getting us lost, there'll be no place left to be lost, though, yeah?"
"We've got a long way to go before that happens." Billy takes a long swallow of the tea, letting it warm him, and closes his eyes again. "I love my house. There are days when I even love Baskerville. I just--there are times when it's better somewhere else. Safer, like. And if you say things where you won't hear the echoes of them later--" Billy stops himself and puts the cup down on the table, advancing toward the bed while Dominic stares at him, looking for all the world like he's holding his breath. Billy works to not smile, to not relish that little moment of uncertainty in Dominic's expression after weeks of the dares Dominic's thrown him with those eyes. It would be unkind to rattle Dominic more, Billy knows, but the desire's there nonetheless, ugly and real and pointless, and Billy sighs as he pushes it away, working off his shirt and trousers before he sits down on the mattress.
Dominic's touch to his back is a curious one, and Billy closes his eyes again, enjoying it. "'s getting warmer, I think. Maybe I'm just imagining it."
Billy nods, then reaches to turn off the light before he settles beside Dominic, facing him. "Did you want to sleep?" Dominic laughs and shakes his head, moving closer, and Billy takes a deep breath, pulling him into the little space left between them. "Imagine something else for me, Dom. Imagine I'm better at this than I am, and I'm not getting us lost every single fucking time."
"Billy--"
"I'm thirty-five," Billy says quietly. "You said you didn't know, and I'm telling you. I'm thirty-five. I've got a sister. Sometimes she has a brother. My parents are dead; it was a long time ago, for both of them. I made a massive mistake before I left St. Andrews for Baskerville, and I'm still paying for it. I drink too much. I smoke more than that. I lost my mind a little before I finished my doctorate. Not like you're supposed to; it was worse, and I'm paying for that, too. I bought my house because it and the car are all I've got. I've burnt bridges that weren't even fully built yet, Dom. I'm not who you think I am, but I want to be." He takes another breath and curves his hand around Dominic's neck again to touch their foreheads together, letting them just share a moment of quiet. "I should let you rest, whether you want it or not."
"I don't want to sleep."
Dominic's voice sounds breathless to Billy's ears, maybe even a little stunned. Billy leans in and kisses Dominic gently, nudging his cheek against Dominic's as he pulls back. "I want you to, Dom. I need you to. I need to just--" Billy breaks off, easing Dominic to turn over and onto his side and pulling Dominic's back against his chest. Billy feels somewhat breathless and stunned himself, unsure why he'd said everything he had and knowing that it wasn't enough. For a long time he and Dominic both lie still and quiet, neither talking, neither knowing what to say, Billy supposes. Dominic succumbs first to sleep, as Billy expected him to, but he doesn't go without a fight; Billy can almost hear the questions on his lips before Dominic silences them, trying to form them better. Sleep, Billy thinks, and strokes his hand up and down Dominic's arm slowly until Dominic does, leaving Billy alone with his thoughts and the rain again, both stormy, both wild and lulling at the same time.
It is getting warmer in the room, enough that Billy relaxes under it and only his hand continues to move, lightly over Dominic's skin as if by its own volition. Billy's eyes close but he doesn't exactly sleep himself; instead he lets his mind clear of everything but how he feels now: like a shambling fugitive on the run, his accomplice willing to take the punishment for both their crimes when Billy can't talk them out of it. They've escaped for the moment, but to what. For what feels like hours Billy let his thoughts go round and round in his head, until he almost wants to laugh, but on the edge of real sleep he finds himself walking away from it, forcing his eyes open again to stare at the ceiling. It's his mind that's exhausted, not his body, and Billy wonders if Dominic's transferred his restlessness somehow, sharing whatever runs hot and quick in his blood with Billy in exchange for Billy's quieter typical rest. It's not a bad trade, and well-timed, as these things go, Billy thinks; why waste this time on sleep alone? But sleep is what he's begged Dominic to do, and until he wakes Billy will leave him to it.
To be continued.