offre non admise de paix... et la conséquence
[takes place after this]
Billy: *pushing my way through the front doors of La Jarretière, disrupting the rehearsal taking place on the stage, the dancers all stopping to gape at me when they see what state I'm in - my cheek is sporting a darkening bruise and my lower lip is split, there is blood on the front of my rumpled shirt, (most of it is not mine), my face is pinched with anger - no one tries to stop me as I storm up the spiral staircase and down the hallway to my room, pulling off my gloves and my hat as I approach the door to my suite*
Elijah: *looking a little haggard as I come through the doors a few short minutes after you, getting a little uncomfortable when the dancers start shooting me questioning looks, pulling my cloak tighter around me, shivering even though I'm now inside, my body aching dully as I make my way up the stairs, but optimistic that I'll be feeling better soon - and having gotten too lonely for you*
Billy: *heading straight for my bar after entering my suite, tossing my hat and my overcoat on the loveseat as I pass it, shrugging out of my jacket as I pour myself a shot of scotch, drinking it down in one swallow before setting the glass down loudly, pouring myself another as I grumble to myself, trying to ignore the pain in my lip*
Elijah: *letting myself into your suite* Bil-- *stopping myself midway through announcing my presence, catching sight of you at the bar, my eyes going wide, quickly shutting the door and going to you, cupping your face with a soft, pained gasp at the look of you, waiting wordlessly for an explanation, touching gingerly at your bottom lip with a thumb*
Billy: *softening my expression at the sight of your concern, pulling back a little when you touch my lip, shaking my head* No, don't touch it. I'm all right, cheri. *taking your hands in my own and holding them firmly* I'm sure it must look worse than it is.
Elijah: *becoming upset when I notice the amount of blood on your shirt, my eyes tearing up, trying to blink them away, pulling back from you* Let me help you... *quickly going to the bathing room, filling a basin with warm water with trembling hands, putting a cloth over the edge then bringing it back out into the main room with me, setting it on the nightstand, patting the bed* Come here...
Billy: *sitting on the edge of the bed gingerly, my hip and my back both sore from when Marcel knocked me over, trying very hard not to show that I am in pain, seeing how worried you are already, untying my tie and opening the buttons on my shirt with scuffed and dirty hands, my fingers aching* It was just a fight, Elijah. Really, I'm fine.
Elijah: *shaking my head a little, pursing my lips, trying not to show you how upset I am, the lingering flu I am afflicted with exaggerating the negative feeling inside of me - I already feel achy and weak, and my upset is building, still trying to hold back tears, brushing your hands away and undoing your shirt buttons quickly, taking your shirt from you very carefully, relieved to see that you aren't as bloody as I thought you were, but still incredibly distressed - the sight of darkening bruises on your skin making me swallow, my hands shaking more as I pick up the wet cloth and wring it out, beginning to gingerly dab first at your lip*
Billy: Elijah... *holding still when you dab at my lip, letting you clean my face, but feeling the shaking in your hands and seeing the tears in your eyes, taking the cloth from you and laying it aside, gently pulling you closer, sitting you on my thigh* Please, cheri. Don't be upset. Are you feeling any better? *lisping slightly because of my lip, my hands gently running over your back* You should probably still be in bed, no?
Elijah: *rawly* Don't... *swallowing, trying to make my voice less hoarse from my held-back tears* Just tell me what happened... *my eyes narrowing a little, my voice becoming a cutting whisper* Tell me who did this to you.
Billy: *resting my forehead against yours with a soft sigh* I went to see Marcel. You know he hasn't been speaking to me since Mira returned - he was expecting I would take him up on his offer to partner with him. When she came back he threw a fit; there's no love lost between the two of them. I was going to let it lie, let him cool off, but it's been weeks now, so I decided to visit him - offer the olive branch. I received a cold shoulder and some nasty words for my trouble... *sighing again and closing my eyes, not wanting to tell you the rest, trying to gloss over it* One thing led to another, and soon his bouncer was pulling us off of each other.
Elijah: *my tone bewildered* Marcel? *pulling back a little and shaking my head* But he's been your friend for so long... *softly, not wanting to push you if you're still riled up about it, but curious all the same* He must have said something really awful... for you to fight him... *putting the cloth back in the basin, thinking that washing your bruises won't help anyway, kissing a corner of your mouth tenderly*
Billy: *smiling softly when you kiss me, stopping myself from returning your kiss, my lip stinging, offering you a nuzzle instead, still frustrated with Marcel, but speaking softly* He's a fussy old queen who doesn't know when to keep his tongue in his mouth. *resting my hand on my lap, flexing my fingers stiffly, murmuring* He deserved the punch in the face.
Elijah: *my eyes boggling, my tone becoming laced with a note of possessiveness* And exactly where was he putting this tongue of his, if he wasn't keeping it in his own mouth?
Billy: No, no, cheri. Nothing like that. *chuckling softly despite my sour mood, giving you a quick squeeze before gentling you up from my lap, leaning over and slipping off my boots as I talk* He said some things I found neither appropriate nor amusing. When I told him to shut up, he pushed, and so I shut him up myself. *letting my boots fall to the floor, sitting back up with a poorly contained groan, my head pounding*
Elijah: *making a soft, sympathetic noise, laying you back carefully, curling myself around you protectively, nuzzling your forehead* You shouldn't have gotten into a fight like that... no matter what he said.
Billy: *letting you lie me back with another groan, my smile rueful when I look up at you, relieved to see there are no more tears in your eyes* Ah, you say that, cheri, but you might feel different if you had been there. *taking up one of your hands and kissing the back of it softly, then holding it against my bare chest* But it doesn't matter now... If he wishes to apologize, he knows where to find me.
Elijah: Mrrmm... *furrowing my brow, closing my eyes, letting my body relax against yours, finally convinced that you are in fact all right enough for me not to be worrying so much as to cry, my own temples throbbing dully, my joints also aching as I shift against you, calming down, but still curious as to what would force you to exchange blows with one of your good friends* Tell me what he said...
Billy: *shaking my head softly and shifting closer to you, my unbruised cheek resting against your forehead, frowning slightly when I feel that you are still over warm* No. I don't want to talk about it.
Elijah: *pouting slightly* Was it honestly that bad, Billy...? *feeling slightly miffed that you don't want to share what happened with me, even though I originally didn't want to press the matter*
Billy: *simply* Yes, it was. *holding you closer to me, as if I can get you to not ask again with how tightly I hug you, forgetting myself and pressing a kiss into your hair, wincing in pain and pulling back, touching at my lip gingerly, sighing when I see fresh blood there, untangling myself from you and sitting up, taking up the wet cloth and pressing it to my mouth*
Elijah: *making a soft, disgruntled noise when you squeeze me too tightly, then sighing when you sit up, sitting up behind you and resting my cheek against the back of your shoulder, wrapping my arms carefully around you, whispering* I don't like it when you keep things from me... *pouting a little* It makes me worry more.
Billy: *murmuring around the wet cloth* I know, cheri. But don't worry. *gingerly checking my teeth with my finger, relieved to find that none of them are loose, then cleaning up the scrapes on my knuckles as I speak, knowing you will be upset if I don't give you a better answer* He insulted Mira. Said she was only fit to work upstairs if she was on her back... That's when I told him to shut up.
Elijah: *kissing the back of your shoulder, frowning against your skin* That's awful... *timidly* But I still wish you wouldn't have hit him for that... *grimly* Who would have guessed that a spindly creature like Marcel could fight - or would want to?
Billy: *shaking my head as I switch hands with the cloth, trying to get the blood out from under my fingernails, frowning at the sight of it* He is very good at defending himself. He didn't want to fight, I gave him no choice. *adding softly, my head bent over my work* And that's not why I hit him.
Elijah: *biting my lip* Then tell me why... *smiling ruefully, trying to make light* The suspense is killing me, amour...
Billy: Elijah... *sighing heavily and untangling myself from you gently, standing and rinsing out the cloth in the basin, using the clean cloth to press it against the bruise on my cheek, turning back to you* I don't want to tell you because it will upset you. He insulted you, and I wouldn't stand for it. That's all you really need to know, isn't it? I fought with him because I was defending you.
Elijah: *my expression turning to one of shocked anxiety* Oh, no... Oh, Billy... *feeling the intense upset bubbling up in me again - you got in a fight because of me; you got hurt because of me* You shouldn't have... you should have just let it go... *biting my lip hard*
Billy: I couldn't let him insult you and let him get away with it. *slightly frustrated that you are telling me I should have let it go* That's not acceptable. Out of all of my friends, Marcel knows what it is like to be a man in love with another man. For him to -- *cutting myself off with a huff, tossing the towel back onto the nightstand, trying to control my anger, looking away from you* He deserved it, Elijah. Just believe me, all right?
Elijah: *softly* No... *quietly* Billy... Marcel isn't the first one to insult me in my life. Would you go around hitting everyone who did so? *sighing* A lot of people think I look... effeminate. I get comments - it just happens...
Billy: No one has the right to insult you, especially right in front of me! *blinking a little at the volume my voice has risen to, exhaling a long, heavy breath, my hands rubbing against the tops of my thighs absently* As my friend, it is not right. He knows of my feelings for you and was using that information to be petty. I should have broken his nose. *huffing a little, then going to my desk, rummaging through one of the drawers*
Elijah: It couldn't have been that bad... *smiling a little* ...unless he was being really creative... *furrowing my brow* What are you doing?
Billy: Looking for... aha, there they are. *pulling out a little bottle of pills Doctor Deveau gave me when I fell off of Rìghinn and hurt my shoulder, shaking two out into my palm* Something to help the swelling. And my angry mood. *crossing to my bar and pouring myself a glass of wine, swallowing the pills with a large mouthful*
Elijah: That's good... *holding my arms out to you with a slight smile* Come back here and just give in so I don't have to pester you anymore about it... I want to know what he said. *making wide eyes* I promise not to be hurt; I'm just curious. I deserve to know what's said about me, don't I?
Billy: *trying very hard not to smile at you, unable to resist your pleading eyes, crossing to you slowly and sitting down. taking you up in my arms* I want you to remember you asked... you wanted to know. *sighing and resting my chin against the top of your head, murmuring softly* He said you were nothing but a little lap dog - just wanting me to spoil and take care of you.
Elijah: Ohh... *affectionately* Silly... Of course I want you to take care of me... *smiling* And it's nice when you spoil me too... *nuzzling your neck* We take care of each other... we spoil each other. Why is that so bad? *chuckling* I've certainly heard worse.
Billy: Well. *slightly taken aback by your response, having thought you would be upset* Still, it wasn't so much what he said, but how he said it. *a little softer, now feeling silly for having gotten myself so worked up* I was only trying to defend you...
Elijah: *softer, apologetically* Oh, sweet one... I know... *kissing your neck sweetly, murmuring against your skin* I just wish you wouldn't have... I feel so guilty that you were hurt over some stupid remark like that... *whispering* I know we belong to one another... that our love is real and beautiful... Who knows? Maybe Marcel is just jealous... *smiling again*
Billy: He shouldn't be. He should be happy for us. *gathering you close to me, my eyes closing heavily, feeling the painkillers starting to kick in, mixing with the wine and the scotch in my belly and running warm through my veins, the feeling making me slightly woozy*
Elijah: *feeling you sigh, suddenly overcome with a bout of shivering, making my achy muscles contract painfully for a few moments until I get it under control, sighing too* What a mess we are... Let's stay in bed all day tomorrow. I just want to sleep and be safe and warm with you and forget the world outside your suite exists.
Billy: I don't know, cheri, but I will certainly be staying upstairs tonight. We can go to bed now, if you want. Just let me speak with Henri. I'm sure everyone must be wondering what is going on. Lay down; I'll be right back. *gentling you back onto the bed and brushing my lips over your forehead, then rising and slipping my robe on over my trousers, giving you a soft smile before slipping out of the suite, closing the door softly behind me*
Elijah: *sighing forlornly, rising only long enough to undress, letting my clothes fall where they may, crawling under the duvet and squirming with a pained expression, my temples throbbing, wondering if I should tell you that Mira wants me to move in with her and Domi when they get their new place*
Billy: *not surprised to find several of my girls in the hallway, lingering around to see if I will come from my room, all of them cooing and fussing over me when I enter the hall, giving a few reassuring hugs and a very short version of the story of what happened, then sending them off to tell Henri I won't be working tonight, slipping back into my suite with a sigh of relief*
Elijah: *having closed my eyes and curled up tightly on myself, my brow slightly furrowed, shivering again, but only a little, not hearing when you come back into the suite*
Billy: *latching the door after me and crossing to the window, drawing the curtains closed, ignoring the pain in my hands as I tug on the heavy fabric, slipping off my robe and my trousers then sliding into bed behind you, wrapping myself around your shivering frame* Oh, cheri. You're cold, hmm? You are still sick... my poor love. *tucking the blankets more tightly around us*
Elijah: *snuggling back against you* I'll be better soon - it's on its way out... *smiling* And you're here, so that makes it a lot better... you're so warm... *swallowing* Billy... can I tell you something?
Billy: *resting my head heavily against the pillow, feeling drowsy from the painkillers, letting my eyes falls shut with a warm sigh against the back of your neck, murmuring* You can tell me anything...
Elijah: Mira and Domi will be moving out of my flat soon... getting their own place - a nice country house maybe, on the outskirts of town... *softly* When the baby comes... they're going to need someone to help them... I mean, Mira will still want to work here, for you... and Domi's busy a lot now... *hesitantly* Mira asked me if... maybe I wanted to go with them... live with them to help them take care of their baby... I could still work in the cafe, for mornings at least. And in the evenings, I could take care of the baby while Mira was doing her show here... and she said I don't even have to pay any rent...
Billy: *my eyes opening again at your words, having known that Mira and Dominic would be moving, but not that they asked you to go with them, sitting up and turning you towards me, frowning, my voice soft* When will we see each other if you move away?
Elijah: Mmm... We'll manage, sweet one... *snuggling back against you* We'll work something out; it'll just take a little bit of planning - that's all...
Billy: We'll manage how? *feeling very upset over the prospect of having you gone from me, pulling back again* If you work during the day and take care of their child at night, what time does that leave for us? None, Elijah.
Elijah: *turning in your arms with an effort, surprised at your upset - thinking that the pills mixed with the Scotch are making you a little bit crazy* Well, I don't work at the café every day, and Mira doesn't work every night, and Domi's schedule is very flexible. We'll have lots of time. Like I said - we're just going to have to plan things more carefully...
Billy: But you won't be here. You won't be close to me. *sitting up and wringing my hands together fretfully, knowing somewhere in the back of my mind that I'm not thinking straight, but feeling anxious and upset just the same* Is this because I said I didn't want you to live here?
Elijah: *sitting up with you, even though I feel heavy and tired and sick* Shh... *shushing you soothingly, cupping your face in my hands* No, Billy... It's nothing like that. We agree about that, remember? I know you need your space sometimes, and so do I, and that's all right. I just... well, Mira and Domi will need someone there at least some of the time... *softly* ...and I just don't think I'm ever going to have children of my own, Billy... I want this for me as much as I want to help Mira and Domi.
Billy: *embarrassed to feel myself teary-eyed, dropping my eyes from yours, but not pulling out of your hold, trying to gain a better grip on my emotions and failing, murmuring thickly* I'm sorry, Elijah. Sorry I can't give you the family you want. I'm sorry I can't give you a child...
Elijah: *your own tears forcing to bring on my own, feeling a sharp pang of guilt, holding you close, kissing the tears away from the corners of your eyes, whispering* That's not your fault, Billy... That's not anyone's fault... Don't cry, amour; I'm not trying to hurt you - you've not done anything wrong... *shushing you again, nuzzling your face* I love you... And I don't want you to think that I want this because of something that has to do with us... It's not us, amour... And I'm going to make time for you, no matter what... *kissing a corner of your mouth* You're always first in my heart. Forever. Just you.
Billy: *my tears falling with your sweet words, wrapping my arms around you and pressing close, letting you soothe me with your soft kisses and softer touches, resting my cheek against your chest with a heavy sigh, wiping at my eyes absently* I know, cheri... I'm sorry. The thought of having you far away scares me. I'll miss you when you're not here.
Elijah: Mmm... *ducking my head and pressing kisses along your hairline, murmuring* I'll be here as often as I can... You won't have very much time to miss me... *quietly* I need to lie down... *lying back with you, still holding you close* Things won't change for a little while yet, amour... Mira and Domi still have to find a place; I still need to talk with Hannah about whether or not she wants to keep the place we have now or what... We have lots of time to plan, to make sure that you won't be lonely for me, all right?
Billy: Yes, of course. I know, cheri. I'm being silly. *wrapping my arms around your waist and snuggling close to you, still feeling sore and achy, flexing my hand slowly as it rests on your waist, moving my fingers* I've been silly a lot today...
Elijah: *softly* Maybe you should talk to Marcel tomorrow... *furrowing my brow* I'm not sure he knew beforehand how much you love me... I mean, I know he meant to provoke you with his remark, but maybe he just didn't know how much he was provoking you... *smiling* You're so protective of me... *furrowing my brow with worry* I'm sure he looks a lot worse than you do.
Billy: *smiling smugly, even though it hurts my lip* He does. I would have kept going too if he bouncer hadn't pulled me off. *my smile dropping with a soft sigh* Oh, but I shouldn't have done that, I know I shouldn't have. Marcel is a good friend, and I had gone there to make peace with him... I've just made it worse.
Elijah: *quietly* Then you should make it right, maybe... *sighing* But I'm still mad at him for hurting you, even though you hit him first.
Billy: I will. Maybe I'll send Javier over as a peace offering... *chuckling softly* he didn't hurt me as much as he bled on me. *pointing to the bruise on my cheek* This was from his knee. Purely an accident.
Elijah: Ohh... *your mention of Javier making my brow furrow more* How is Javier? Does he still hate me?
Billy: No, he doesn't hate you. And he is fine. He's been keeping himself busy with Mira's sister, actually. *curling closer to you sleepily, nuzzling your hair with my nose*
Elijah: That's good... *absently* I feel a strange kinship with him; I can't really explain it. It upset me to know that I was the reason for his sadness... *trailing off* Sweet one, let's sleep, hmm? We're too broken to stay awake.
Billy: Yes... I'm tired. Stay close to me, cheri. I want to know you're in my arms while I sleep... *murmuring softly against your neck, my eyes falling closed*
Elijah: *whispering* I love you... *letting my eyes fall closed, sinking into a deep sleep*
Billy: *pushing my way through the front doors of La Jarretière, disrupting the rehearsal taking place on the stage, the dancers all stopping to gape at me when they see what state I'm in - my cheek is sporting a darkening bruise and my lower lip is split, there is blood on the front of my rumpled shirt, (most of it is not mine), my face is pinched with anger - no one tries to stop me as I storm up the spiral staircase and down the hallway to my room, pulling off my gloves and my hat as I approach the door to my suite*
Elijah: *looking a little haggard as I come through the doors a few short minutes after you, getting a little uncomfortable when the dancers start shooting me questioning looks, pulling my cloak tighter around me, shivering even though I'm now inside, my body aching dully as I make my way up the stairs, but optimistic that I'll be feeling better soon - and having gotten too lonely for you*
Billy: *heading straight for my bar after entering my suite, tossing my hat and my overcoat on the loveseat as I pass it, shrugging out of my jacket as I pour myself a shot of scotch, drinking it down in one swallow before setting the glass down loudly, pouring myself another as I grumble to myself, trying to ignore the pain in my lip*
Elijah: *letting myself into your suite* Bil-- *stopping myself midway through announcing my presence, catching sight of you at the bar, my eyes going wide, quickly shutting the door and going to you, cupping your face with a soft, pained gasp at the look of you, waiting wordlessly for an explanation, touching gingerly at your bottom lip with a thumb*
Billy: *softening my expression at the sight of your concern, pulling back a little when you touch my lip, shaking my head* No, don't touch it. I'm all right, cheri. *taking your hands in my own and holding them firmly* I'm sure it must look worse than it is.
Elijah: *becoming upset when I notice the amount of blood on your shirt, my eyes tearing up, trying to blink them away, pulling back from you* Let me help you... *quickly going to the bathing room, filling a basin with warm water with trembling hands, putting a cloth over the edge then bringing it back out into the main room with me, setting it on the nightstand, patting the bed* Come here...
Billy: *sitting on the edge of the bed gingerly, my hip and my back both sore from when Marcel knocked me over, trying very hard not to show that I am in pain, seeing how worried you are already, untying my tie and opening the buttons on my shirt with scuffed and dirty hands, my fingers aching* It was just a fight, Elijah. Really, I'm fine.
Elijah: *shaking my head a little, pursing my lips, trying not to show you how upset I am, the lingering flu I am afflicted with exaggerating the negative feeling inside of me - I already feel achy and weak, and my upset is building, still trying to hold back tears, brushing your hands away and undoing your shirt buttons quickly, taking your shirt from you very carefully, relieved to see that you aren't as bloody as I thought you were, but still incredibly distressed - the sight of darkening bruises on your skin making me swallow, my hands shaking more as I pick up the wet cloth and wring it out, beginning to gingerly dab first at your lip*
Billy: Elijah... *holding still when you dab at my lip, letting you clean my face, but feeling the shaking in your hands and seeing the tears in your eyes, taking the cloth from you and laying it aside, gently pulling you closer, sitting you on my thigh* Please, cheri. Don't be upset. Are you feeling any better? *lisping slightly because of my lip, my hands gently running over your back* You should probably still be in bed, no?
Elijah: *rawly* Don't... *swallowing, trying to make my voice less hoarse from my held-back tears* Just tell me what happened... *my eyes narrowing a little, my voice becoming a cutting whisper* Tell me who did this to you.
Billy: *resting my forehead against yours with a soft sigh* I went to see Marcel. You know he hasn't been speaking to me since Mira returned - he was expecting I would take him up on his offer to partner with him. When she came back he threw a fit; there's no love lost between the two of them. I was going to let it lie, let him cool off, but it's been weeks now, so I decided to visit him - offer the olive branch. I received a cold shoulder and some nasty words for my trouble... *sighing again and closing my eyes, not wanting to tell you the rest, trying to gloss over it* One thing led to another, and soon his bouncer was pulling us off of each other.
Elijah: *my tone bewildered* Marcel? *pulling back a little and shaking my head* But he's been your friend for so long... *softly, not wanting to push you if you're still riled up about it, but curious all the same* He must have said something really awful... for you to fight him... *putting the cloth back in the basin, thinking that washing your bruises won't help anyway, kissing a corner of your mouth tenderly*
Billy: *smiling softly when you kiss me, stopping myself from returning your kiss, my lip stinging, offering you a nuzzle instead, still frustrated with Marcel, but speaking softly* He's a fussy old queen who doesn't know when to keep his tongue in his mouth. *resting my hand on my lap, flexing my fingers stiffly, murmuring* He deserved the punch in the face.
Elijah: *my eyes boggling, my tone becoming laced with a note of possessiveness* And exactly where was he putting this tongue of his, if he wasn't keeping it in his own mouth?
Billy: No, no, cheri. Nothing like that. *chuckling softly despite my sour mood, giving you a quick squeeze before gentling you up from my lap, leaning over and slipping off my boots as I talk* He said some things I found neither appropriate nor amusing. When I told him to shut up, he pushed, and so I shut him up myself. *letting my boots fall to the floor, sitting back up with a poorly contained groan, my head pounding*
Elijah: *making a soft, sympathetic noise, laying you back carefully, curling myself around you protectively, nuzzling your forehead* You shouldn't have gotten into a fight like that... no matter what he said.
Billy: *letting you lie me back with another groan, my smile rueful when I look up at you, relieved to see there are no more tears in your eyes* Ah, you say that, cheri, but you might feel different if you had been there. *taking up one of your hands and kissing the back of it softly, then holding it against my bare chest* But it doesn't matter now... If he wishes to apologize, he knows where to find me.
Elijah: Mrrmm... *furrowing my brow, closing my eyes, letting my body relax against yours, finally convinced that you are in fact all right enough for me not to be worrying so much as to cry, my own temples throbbing dully, my joints also aching as I shift against you, calming down, but still curious as to what would force you to exchange blows with one of your good friends* Tell me what he said...
Billy: *shaking my head softly and shifting closer to you, my unbruised cheek resting against your forehead, frowning slightly when I feel that you are still over warm* No. I don't want to talk about it.
Elijah: *pouting slightly* Was it honestly that bad, Billy...? *feeling slightly miffed that you don't want to share what happened with me, even though I originally didn't want to press the matter*
Billy: *simply* Yes, it was. *holding you closer to me, as if I can get you to not ask again with how tightly I hug you, forgetting myself and pressing a kiss into your hair, wincing in pain and pulling back, touching at my lip gingerly, sighing when I see fresh blood there, untangling myself from you and sitting up, taking up the wet cloth and pressing it to my mouth*
Elijah: *making a soft, disgruntled noise when you squeeze me too tightly, then sighing when you sit up, sitting up behind you and resting my cheek against the back of your shoulder, wrapping my arms carefully around you, whispering* I don't like it when you keep things from me... *pouting a little* It makes me worry more.
Billy: *murmuring around the wet cloth* I know, cheri. But don't worry. *gingerly checking my teeth with my finger, relieved to find that none of them are loose, then cleaning up the scrapes on my knuckles as I speak, knowing you will be upset if I don't give you a better answer* He insulted Mira. Said she was only fit to work upstairs if she was on her back... That's when I told him to shut up.
Elijah: *kissing the back of your shoulder, frowning against your skin* That's awful... *timidly* But I still wish you wouldn't have hit him for that... *grimly* Who would have guessed that a spindly creature like Marcel could fight - or would want to?
Billy: *shaking my head as I switch hands with the cloth, trying to get the blood out from under my fingernails, frowning at the sight of it* He is very good at defending himself. He didn't want to fight, I gave him no choice. *adding softly, my head bent over my work* And that's not why I hit him.
Elijah: *biting my lip* Then tell me why... *smiling ruefully, trying to make light* The suspense is killing me, amour...
Billy: Elijah... *sighing heavily and untangling myself from you gently, standing and rinsing out the cloth in the basin, using the clean cloth to press it against the bruise on my cheek, turning back to you* I don't want to tell you because it will upset you. He insulted you, and I wouldn't stand for it. That's all you really need to know, isn't it? I fought with him because I was defending you.
Elijah: *my expression turning to one of shocked anxiety* Oh, no... Oh, Billy... *feeling the intense upset bubbling up in me again - you got in a fight because of me; you got hurt because of me* You shouldn't have... you should have just let it go... *biting my lip hard*
Billy: I couldn't let him insult you and let him get away with it. *slightly frustrated that you are telling me I should have let it go* That's not acceptable. Out of all of my friends, Marcel knows what it is like to be a man in love with another man. For him to -- *cutting myself off with a huff, tossing the towel back onto the nightstand, trying to control my anger, looking away from you* He deserved it, Elijah. Just believe me, all right?
Elijah: *softly* No... *quietly* Billy... Marcel isn't the first one to insult me in my life. Would you go around hitting everyone who did so? *sighing* A lot of people think I look... effeminate. I get comments - it just happens...
Billy: No one has the right to insult you, especially right in front of me! *blinking a little at the volume my voice has risen to, exhaling a long, heavy breath, my hands rubbing against the tops of my thighs absently* As my friend, it is not right. He knows of my feelings for you and was using that information to be petty. I should have broken his nose. *huffing a little, then going to my desk, rummaging through one of the drawers*
Elijah: It couldn't have been that bad... *smiling a little* ...unless he was being really creative... *furrowing my brow* What are you doing?
Billy: Looking for... aha, there they are. *pulling out a little bottle of pills Doctor Deveau gave me when I fell off of Rìghinn and hurt my shoulder, shaking two out into my palm* Something to help the swelling. And my angry mood. *crossing to my bar and pouring myself a glass of wine, swallowing the pills with a large mouthful*
Elijah: That's good... *holding my arms out to you with a slight smile* Come back here and just give in so I don't have to pester you anymore about it... I want to know what he said. *making wide eyes* I promise not to be hurt; I'm just curious. I deserve to know what's said about me, don't I?
Billy: *trying very hard not to smile at you, unable to resist your pleading eyes, crossing to you slowly and sitting down. taking you up in my arms* I want you to remember you asked... you wanted to know. *sighing and resting my chin against the top of your head, murmuring softly* He said you were nothing but a little lap dog - just wanting me to spoil and take care of you.
Elijah: Ohh... *affectionately* Silly... Of course I want you to take care of me... *smiling* And it's nice when you spoil me too... *nuzzling your neck* We take care of each other... we spoil each other. Why is that so bad? *chuckling* I've certainly heard worse.
Billy: Well. *slightly taken aback by your response, having thought you would be upset* Still, it wasn't so much what he said, but how he said it. *a little softer, now feeling silly for having gotten myself so worked up* I was only trying to defend you...
Elijah: *softer, apologetically* Oh, sweet one... I know... *kissing your neck sweetly, murmuring against your skin* I just wish you wouldn't have... I feel so guilty that you were hurt over some stupid remark like that... *whispering* I know we belong to one another... that our love is real and beautiful... Who knows? Maybe Marcel is just jealous... *smiling again*
Billy: He shouldn't be. He should be happy for us. *gathering you close to me, my eyes closing heavily, feeling the painkillers starting to kick in, mixing with the wine and the scotch in my belly and running warm through my veins, the feeling making me slightly woozy*
Elijah: *feeling you sigh, suddenly overcome with a bout of shivering, making my achy muscles contract painfully for a few moments until I get it under control, sighing too* What a mess we are... Let's stay in bed all day tomorrow. I just want to sleep and be safe and warm with you and forget the world outside your suite exists.
Billy: I don't know, cheri, but I will certainly be staying upstairs tonight. We can go to bed now, if you want. Just let me speak with Henri. I'm sure everyone must be wondering what is going on. Lay down; I'll be right back. *gentling you back onto the bed and brushing my lips over your forehead, then rising and slipping my robe on over my trousers, giving you a soft smile before slipping out of the suite, closing the door softly behind me*
Elijah: *sighing forlornly, rising only long enough to undress, letting my clothes fall where they may, crawling under the duvet and squirming with a pained expression, my temples throbbing, wondering if I should tell you that Mira wants me to move in with her and Domi when they get their new place*
Billy: *not surprised to find several of my girls in the hallway, lingering around to see if I will come from my room, all of them cooing and fussing over me when I enter the hall, giving a few reassuring hugs and a very short version of the story of what happened, then sending them off to tell Henri I won't be working tonight, slipping back into my suite with a sigh of relief*
Elijah: *having closed my eyes and curled up tightly on myself, my brow slightly furrowed, shivering again, but only a little, not hearing when you come back into the suite*
Billy: *latching the door after me and crossing to the window, drawing the curtains closed, ignoring the pain in my hands as I tug on the heavy fabric, slipping off my robe and my trousers then sliding into bed behind you, wrapping myself around your shivering frame* Oh, cheri. You're cold, hmm? You are still sick... my poor love. *tucking the blankets more tightly around us*
Elijah: *snuggling back against you* I'll be better soon - it's on its way out... *smiling* And you're here, so that makes it a lot better... you're so warm... *swallowing* Billy... can I tell you something?
Billy: *resting my head heavily against the pillow, feeling drowsy from the painkillers, letting my eyes falls shut with a warm sigh against the back of your neck, murmuring* You can tell me anything...
Elijah: Mira and Domi will be moving out of my flat soon... getting their own place - a nice country house maybe, on the outskirts of town... *softly* When the baby comes... they're going to need someone to help them... I mean, Mira will still want to work here, for you... and Domi's busy a lot now... *hesitantly* Mira asked me if... maybe I wanted to go with them... live with them to help them take care of their baby... I could still work in the cafe, for mornings at least. And in the evenings, I could take care of the baby while Mira was doing her show here... and she said I don't even have to pay any rent...
Billy: *my eyes opening again at your words, having known that Mira and Dominic would be moving, but not that they asked you to go with them, sitting up and turning you towards me, frowning, my voice soft* When will we see each other if you move away?
Elijah: Mmm... We'll manage, sweet one... *snuggling back against you* We'll work something out; it'll just take a little bit of planning - that's all...
Billy: We'll manage how? *feeling very upset over the prospect of having you gone from me, pulling back again* If you work during the day and take care of their child at night, what time does that leave for us? None, Elijah.
Elijah: *turning in your arms with an effort, surprised at your upset - thinking that the pills mixed with the Scotch are making you a little bit crazy* Well, I don't work at the café every day, and Mira doesn't work every night, and Domi's schedule is very flexible. We'll have lots of time. Like I said - we're just going to have to plan things more carefully...
Billy: But you won't be here. You won't be close to me. *sitting up and wringing my hands together fretfully, knowing somewhere in the back of my mind that I'm not thinking straight, but feeling anxious and upset just the same* Is this because I said I didn't want you to live here?
Elijah: *sitting up with you, even though I feel heavy and tired and sick* Shh... *shushing you soothingly, cupping your face in my hands* No, Billy... It's nothing like that. We agree about that, remember? I know you need your space sometimes, and so do I, and that's all right. I just... well, Mira and Domi will need someone there at least some of the time... *softly* ...and I just don't think I'm ever going to have children of my own, Billy... I want this for me as much as I want to help Mira and Domi.
Billy: *embarrassed to feel myself teary-eyed, dropping my eyes from yours, but not pulling out of your hold, trying to gain a better grip on my emotions and failing, murmuring thickly* I'm sorry, Elijah. Sorry I can't give you the family you want. I'm sorry I can't give you a child...
Elijah: *your own tears forcing to bring on my own, feeling a sharp pang of guilt, holding you close, kissing the tears away from the corners of your eyes, whispering* That's not your fault, Billy... That's not anyone's fault... Don't cry, amour; I'm not trying to hurt you - you've not done anything wrong... *shushing you again, nuzzling your face* I love you... And I don't want you to think that I want this because of something that has to do with us... It's not us, amour... And I'm going to make time for you, no matter what... *kissing a corner of your mouth* You're always first in my heart. Forever. Just you.
Billy: *my tears falling with your sweet words, wrapping my arms around you and pressing close, letting you soothe me with your soft kisses and softer touches, resting my cheek against your chest with a heavy sigh, wiping at my eyes absently* I know, cheri... I'm sorry. The thought of having you far away scares me. I'll miss you when you're not here.
Elijah: Mmm... *ducking my head and pressing kisses along your hairline, murmuring* I'll be here as often as I can... You won't have very much time to miss me... *quietly* I need to lie down... *lying back with you, still holding you close* Things won't change for a little while yet, amour... Mira and Domi still have to find a place; I still need to talk with Hannah about whether or not she wants to keep the place we have now or what... We have lots of time to plan, to make sure that you won't be lonely for me, all right?
Billy: Yes, of course. I know, cheri. I'm being silly. *wrapping my arms around your waist and snuggling close to you, still feeling sore and achy, flexing my hand slowly as it rests on your waist, moving my fingers* I've been silly a lot today...
Elijah: *softly* Maybe you should talk to Marcel tomorrow... *furrowing my brow* I'm not sure he knew beforehand how much you love me... I mean, I know he meant to provoke you with his remark, but maybe he just didn't know how much he was provoking you... *smiling* You're so protective of me... *furrowing my brow with worry* I'm sure he looks a lot worse than you do.
Billy: *smiling smugly, even though it hurts my lip* He does. I would have kept going too if he bouncer hadn't pulled me off. *my smile dropping with a soft sigh* Oh, but I shouldn't have done that, I know I shouldn't have. Marcel is a good friend, and I had gone there to make peace with him... I've just made it worse.
Elijah: *quietly* Then you should make it right, maybe... *sighing* But I'm still mad at him for hurting you, even though you hit him first.
Billy: I will. Maybe I'll send Javier over as a peace offering... *chuckling softly* he didn't hurt me as much as he bled on me. *pointing to the bruise on my cheek* This was from his knee. Purely an accident.
Elijah: Ohh... *your mention of Javier making my brow furrow more* How is Javier? Does he still hate me?
Billy: No, he doesn't hate you. And he is fine. He's been keeping himself busy with Mira's sister, actually. *curling closer to you sleepily, nuzzling your hair with my nose*
Elijah: That's good... *absently* I feel a strange kinship with him; I can't really explain it. It upset me to know that I was the reason for his sadness... *trailing off* Sweet one, let's sleep, hmm? We're too broken to stay awake.
Billy: Yes... I'm tired. Stay close to me, cheri. I want to know you're in my arms while I sleep... *murmuring softly against your neck, my eyes falling closed*
Elijah: *whispering* I love you... *letting my eyes fall closed, sinking into a deep sleep*