Repercussions strike Dom and Billy helps him cope
Sunday, November 16th, 2003
Repercussions strike Dom and Billy helps him cope
A Billy/Dom Chat
Billy: *Last night I had wanted to take Dom out to the movies, to celebrate not only my being well again, but to thank him for taking care of me when I was ill. But he came home and I could tell he was absolutely beat; he just handed me my mail and said he was going straight to bed. I couldn't argue with that, so I decided I'd just take him out for a bit today. It's after one o'clock, and Dom's still in his room, though that isn't entirely uncommon. I walk down the hall to his room, ready to run in there and jump on his bed to wake him up if I have to. But I'll knock first.* Dom, are you up? *I call, knocking softly.* Come on, it's raining out, let's go see a film!
Dom: *This is another one of those dreams about Billy, but it's different for the reason that I am waking up to his voice, when I usually wake up to a silent and empty room. I can hardly get one eye open, and as soon as I do, my head is reeling. I pull my hand up over my eyes and grimace, realising that the awful taste in my mouth and rough texture of my throat are sure signs of whatever Billy had just gotten rid of. Not that I can blame him. It was really my fault for being around him so much during his illness, but someone had to take care of him. I only feel sorry now that I have to tell him that I won't be seeing a movie with him today. Hell, I can hardly even move my eyelids. I try to answer his call waiting patiently at the door, but my voice is a sodding wreck.* Come in, Bill. *I don't really manage the words, but I hope he gets the point anyway. Now that my throat is temporarily wounded, I don't think I'll be calling again.*
Billy: *I frown, pausing in my assault on the door. So he is awake... but not up. Why? I consider how he sounded, barely conscious, and it occurs to me.* Oh, bugger... *I open his door and step inside, seeing him cocooned in his blankets with only his face poking out. I step quickly over to his bed, falling to my knees and reaching a palm out to his forehead. He's definitely a little warmer than he should be.* I knew this would happen, I knew it would! *I mutter, looking over his face.* I warned you, but did you listen? No, of course not.
Dom: *I raise my brow, but don't bother to open my eyes just yet. Billy's hand on my head is so cool. I wish it would stay there forever.* Of course not? *My voice is so harsh, and it hurts. I know I need a drink, but I don't think I could ask for one. A shiver runs up my arms, and I bundle into the blankets. It doesn't help, however, as the shiver isn't coming from any apparent cold other than the one I'm feeling inside of me. I peek one eye open at Billy, his concerned expression grazing my mind for a moment before I retreat again. I don't remember being so confused before. I know where I am, but I don't know exactly where that is. I think, as long as Billy's hand stays on my head, I'll know that I'm staying in one place and not spinning around the room.*
Billy: *I shake my head, resisting the urge to tsk like a mother hen. It's not his fault at all, and I'm trying to cover up my guilt with gruffness. It's not working. I remove my hand from his head and walk to the end of the bed, pulling the spare blanket up over him and patting him gently on the shoulder.* Be right back, stay put. *As if he could do anything else. I leave the room and head into my bathroom, pulling out the thermometer. Returning to his room, I perch on the edge of his bed, tapping him lightly.* Open up.
Dom: *I feel the bed tilt as Billy sits on the edge of the bed. Open up? I squint at him and see him waiting at the ready with a thermometer in hand. I pull my hands under my chin, simultaneously closing my eyes again as I open my mouth wide. I just know I'm not getting as much out of this experience as I should... In a second, I feel a cold poke on my tongue and I gradually wiggle the thermometer in place until it rests properly, and uncomfortably, in my mouth. I sigh slowly, disappointed that I can only do so through my nose.*
Billy: *I smile sympathetically and wait the requisite two and a half minutes by his side, sitting precariously on the edge of the bed. When the time is up, I pull the thermometer out and wince slightly. 100.6. Not as bad as it could be, but certainly not anything I like to see. I sigh and look down at Dom's face.* Looks like you'll be spending the day right where you are. *I stand up and head back into the bathroom, putting away the thermometer and pulling out a bottle of cold medicine. I fill a cup of water and wet a washcloth, heading back into the bedroom. Setting the cup of water on the nightstand, I pour the medicine into the measuring cup and hold it out to him. After Dom takes the medicine and hands me back the cup, I set it on the nightstand and place the washcloth over his forehead.*
Dom: *I lift my eyes calmly to his face as he presses the wet cloth to my head. He doesn't look at me, really. Rather, he pays complete attention to every little thing that he's doing. Just like when we met. When I had that horrible gash in my head. He's so gentle, it gives me goose bumps. I rub my tongue on the roof of my mouth, trying to get the sharp taste of that cold medicine out, still watching Billy quietly. I have an urge to hold the hand that rests on the bed beside me, and I glance to it for a moment, but Billy doesn't seem to notice. He's so focused. So careful. His eyes are soft and dedicated to every movement that will make me well, tugging the edge of the covers onto my shoulder. I should have known he'd make such a fuss about me. Now I know what one of his students must feel like, after he picks them up when they scrape their knee.* I'm fine... *I try, but my crackling voice doesn't suggest it.* Don't worry.
Billy: *I hand over the glass of water, knowing that if he feels anything like I felt, he'll need it.* How am I not supposed to worry? *I murmur, resting a hand on his blanket-covered arm.* I'm just sorry you had to fall ill on your day off. You could have shirked off work. *I smile weakly, knowing what a poor excuse that is. A day in bed is never fun, whether your skipping work or not. I'm just glad I have nothing to do today, either. I can keep him company, not that he'll probably want it.*
Dom: I should have... *I consider groggily, taking the glass of water, which is surprisingly lighter than I thought it would be. I can tell that all of my senses will be off-kilter for a while, especially after that medicine kicks in. I push myself up a bit on my pillow and take small gulps of the water, trying to break some of the tension in my throat. I muffle a cough in my chest and lie back down, giving the glass back to Billy's open hand. My head sinks back into my pillow and I watch Billy place the water on the nightstand.* We're going to miss our movie, hey? *He returns my gaze with those same soft eyes, and I hate to think I've ruined his day. If I know him, he'll be spending the rest of it at this bed, which is what I terribly want, and what I sympathetically don't want at all.* ...'m sorry, Bill.
Billy: Don't be! *I admonish softly, horrified that he could bring this upon himself.* I'm sorry that I passed this rotten thing to you. We can go to a movie anytime, no problem. *I offer a reassuring smile, squeezing his shoulder gently and smoothing out his blankets. I can't stand seeing him like this. He's used to seeing me flat out, miserable and ill. But I'm not used to this. I'm not accustomed to seeing him low, to see his enthusiasm diminished. So I intend to do everything I can to get him back to the way my Dom should be. Hmm...* Do you need another blanket? Do you want some juice? *I grin and wink at him.* Shall I read you a story? *I'm afraid to ask the next question, but I've got to, because I know what I felt like when I was ill.* Or would you rather I just leave you alone? *I don't want to leave his side, not for anything more than a few minutes. I want to be here for him, like he was for me. I look at him, hoping he knows that I'll do whatever he wishes me to do.*
Dom: No! *My eyes widen. I hadn't realized that I still had any force in my voice, but my objection is rather abrupt.* No, Billy, don't leave, all right? *I don't want to trouble him, for the life of me, but I wouldn't be able to sit in this room alone and not long for him to be with me. He could just sit and read a book to himself if he likes, so long as he's seated in this room.* I... I hate being alone. You know that, hey. I'm too chattery. *I swallow, trying to wet my throat, then smile sleepily.* If I still have a voice, I'll use it, you know. *Or I could just listen to yours.* You could read if you like. If you really wanted. To me or yourself. But I rather like talking to you, you know? *I feel a bout of coughs coming up, and I know it will hurt if I let them through. Wincing, I clear my throat and begin to feel my original dizziness again. Perhaps I shouldn't talk quite so much.*
Billy: *I'm a bit surprised by his insistence, but I'm certainly not going to complain. He wants me there, and my gladness for this is testament of how bad I must have made him feel when I kept pushing him away when I was sick. But I'll make up for it now. I nod and smile.* Ok. But I'm getting you some juice first. *I stand up and give him a pat on the head, letting my fingers linger in his bed-mussed hair. I'll make this trip short. I hurry to the kitchen, filling a couple glasses with juice and then go back up the stairs as quickly as I can without spilling, dodging a cat that gets under my feet as I make my way. Once back in his room, I set the glasses down and nudge Dom's shoulder.* Hey, shove over.
Dom: *I glance around before making a move to shift myself out of Billy's way. This is something I hadn't expected. But it isn't a bad surprise. I scoot over into the middle of the bed and tug at the covers before Billy is able to sit down beside me. The weight of his body on the mattress tilts me reasonably against his waist; my body's shivering isn't the only reason that this is a very welcome warmth. It's coming from Billy, after all, and making me shiver almost twice as much. My eyes travel up to his face and I do my best not to smile cheekily. If I could, though, I would tug him down onto the bed and have him rest snugly along my side.* What are we up to then? *I shrug down into the blankets and admire his light grin. I don't even mind if we talk about the weather, Bill, just talk, love. I think I'm well enough to lie and listen to your voice.*
Billy: *I help him settle in, fluffing his pillows and moving the blankets over him. He slides comfortably against my side, and I'm sorry to feel that he's still shivering, even under the mound of covers. I furrow my brow and lean over him to tuck his blankets under his body. He's beginning to resemble a Dom burrito, but at least he'll be warmer.* Better? *I ask, settling back against him. I realize now that it's futile to offer him a sip of his juice, unless I want to pour it down his throat for him, as his arms are now firmly stuck under the covers. I grin.* You're lucky I'm not an evil man, or I'd tickle you to death right here and now, and you wouldn't be able to do a thing about it.
Dom: And I know you are the kindest most un-tickling man there is, so you won't. *I smile a tempting grin, feeling wrapped up cozy from his work packaging me into a very toasty roll, but I also get the feeling that I'm in one of the most vulnerable positions possible. And most definitely when he looks at me like that. He pauses to stare me down, and my grin begins to turn into something of a hopeful pout.* Don't do it... Tickling a sick man with a wretched throat is like punching a man with glasses, you know. It's one of those unforgivable things. *I cough again lightly, but don't take my eyes from him. I hope he's heard me clearly enough through my awful voice, but his look could suggest that he hasn't.*
Billy: I told you I wouldn't! *I laugh, brandishing my tickling fingers.* Don't you trust me? Do I seem like the type of person who would hit a man when he's down? *I sit back against the headboard, enjoying the warmth his body gives off next to me. Reaching over, I take the now-warm washcloth off his head and wipe the cool side across his cheeks and over his neck. Placing it on the nightstand, I run my fingers through his hair gently.* Pardon me for saying this Dom, but you sound like shite.
Dom: Thanks... *My voice breaks on the word, and I know it isn't because of the hoarseness of my throat or the shivers trembling from my neck down, damp smears still left on my neck from the washcloth Billy has used. His thin fingers smooth out the strands of my hair, creating a numbing sensation throughout me. I can feel the cold medicine finally taking effect and lifting my thoughts up a little higher to a point of rapt listlessness. I turn my head on my pillow toward Billy's hand and watch the little bow in his lips while he breathes. Amazing... * Pardon me for asking this, myself, but have you taken classes on this sort of thing? Taking care of the head-cold-inflicted? You've certainly got the knack for it, you know. Really... *I sigh and just feel his fingers wind through my hair, looking up at his smile. Hell, I know I'm going to get into trouble with this. Who knows what I'll say. But I can always just blame it on the medicine, I suppose... It is awfully strong medicine.*
Billy: *I laugh, fingers stroking against his hair. I remember my gran used to pet my hair when I was young and ill, and sometimes that helped me forget everything else.* It does kind of come with the job, Dom. Little children require a lot of attention when they're feeling less than tip-top. So to answer your question, yes. I am a professional.
Dom: Mm... *My impressed hum comes out sounding a bit more like a grumble, but I suppose it serves my purposes. After all, it sounds more like I feel anyway. One by one my thoughts slip away from my mind, and I close my eyes and wonder how far up in the air I must be.* They must adore you... I was always a little monster in school. I think the teachers were afraid to be near me. *I smile a bit, remembering how I would crawl under the desks, or pipe up during lectures, and get sent to that familiar back seat, time and again. Those sour looks from the instructors come back vividly to my mind now.*
Billy: I can imagine that. *I smile at the thought of little Dom in school.* I have a few little hellions in my class that are probably exactly like you were. They'd probably bite me if I even came near them with a Band-Aid. *I raise an eyebrow, looking down at you suspiciously.* You aren't going to bite me, are you? *I can tell he's slipping away, and I wonder if it might just be better for me to let him get some more sleep. But I don't move, just settle in closer to him in a half-reclined position.*
Dom: *I smile soundly to myself at his question, then shake my head.* No, I don't think I'm very hungry right now. *I can feel him nudge in closer to me, the bed rattling only slightly . While my eyes are closed, sight is replaced by smell and feeling, and he smells very sweet, like I've never noticed before. And he feels very nice as well. I don't suppose I'll remember much of the feeling after the medicine has gone away.* Don't let me fall asleep, hey? *My voice is a little above a whisper, I wonder if it might be fading.* I've gotten enough sleep, and I want to keep talking with you. *I smile, turning my shoulder, only a little, toward him. If I know so well what I'm doing now, why don't I stop? He might realise how bold I'm being. My cheek grows hot as his hand drifts down the side of my head, as if expecting him to place his cool fingers where I'm blushing most. I don't care how bold I'm being. I simply don't feel obligated to care. My words breathe soundlessly.* Lie down...
Billy: *I start a bit at his request - rather, his command - but I'm not going to object. This position is hard on my back, and if it will make him feel better, I'm not going to say no. My thumb brushes his cheek as I slide down next to him, propping my head up in my hand. Should this feel odd? Because it doesn't, not really anyway. I'm probably going to get ill again. Oh well.* I should really let you get some sleep, you know. It's the best thing for you right now. That, and juice, but seeing as you've got no arms, I'm not going to pressure you into that.
Dom: *I turn my head to him and peek an eye open.* Hm... *A small smile grows on my lips, though I'm suddenly not floating in the air somewhere. I'm just lying on a bed, next to Billy, and he is awfully lovely.* I'm all right for now... And I just woke up. I can't waste a morning like this just sleeping, you know. *I swallow, a bit dryly.* I won't be able to spend so much time with you every morning. I'll have work. And errands. And if I'm going to be staying here permanently I'll have to do my share of them, to help out. *I hesitate, thinking back a moment.* That is... *I toss him a curious expression.* ...if you'll let me stay. I think I'd meant to ask you that before... *I worry when his hand stops in my hair.* You can say no, but... Would that...be all right?
Billy: *I've waited for him to ask this for a long time now, but I'm still unprepared for it. But my face still breaks out in a smile, because I'm so relieved he's finally asked me.* Of course it's all right! I can't think of anyone else I'd rather share a house with. *Ok, so maybe that's a bit of a lie, but Dom is definitely a close second.* I'd hoped you'd decide to stay. I can't even imagine this house without you anymore. *I have a nearly insatiable urge to pull him close and hug him tightly, but I'll resist for the time being. Especially when something else occurs to me.* But what about your family and friends? Won't they miss you?
Dom: *My smile has grown over my whole face, and even thoughts of the friends and family I have left in the back of my mind do nothing to unfasten that. I can stay! I can stay here with Billy, of all people, and he actually wants me to stay! I want to take him into my arms so badly, but I'm quite stuck, and I know how Billy hates sick germs. I'm happy enough as it is, anyway. Of course Billy had basically told MS already that he would have me stay, but hearing him actually say it to me is so wonderful.* My family and friends? *I try not to laugh for the sake of my throat.* My family and friends must be done missing me by now, hey? I'll just call them and tell them that I've finally found a nice place for myself and that they needn't worry about it. *I scoot in a bit closer to Billy, feeling very close to him on the inside already.* I love them and everything, Bill, but I've never had the chance to know someone like you. I want to be with you. *Did I mean to say all of that, really? I can't tell. But my silly grin isn't going away.* Someone has to be around in case you wind up sick again, you know.
Billy: *I grin and this time I do wrap and arm around his shoulders and pull us together, germs be damned.* Aye, I'm glad to have you here Dom, even if it's just for your company and not for your expert nursing skills. *I pull back so I can look him sternly in the eyes.* Just be sure you do let your family know, all right? I don't want to hear you've wound up on the missing persons list. *I smirk and ruffle his hair, betraying my exuberance in my actions. He's going to stay. He's going to stay!* Just don't tell them you've found some crazy bloke who's offered you a home, or they might make you return.
Dom: *My grin spreads smugly and I pull under his arm comfortably. For a moment, I can pretend he's holding me just for the sake of it, and not because of inherent sympathy. Which is also good. But not quite as good as if he really wanted it. As he messes my hair, I shake my head and laugh breathily.* Well, you know me... I'll probably wind up saying something like, "Well, Mum, I crashed in this little town and some man opened his doors to me, so like the gracious person you always taught me to be, I accepted, and I'll be living with him from now on, right?" And she'll go absolutely crazy and we can both have a good time of that for a bit. *I smirk and lay my head down so as to capture all of his face in my sight.* Either way, I'll call, you know. Don't worry. *My chest hops with a small cough, but I keep smiling.*
Billy: Don't terrify your mum, Dom, it isn't nice. *I grin, glad that he's well enough to be back to joking, even if only slightly. I'll make sure he's completely well again before he heads back to work, even if it means stalling my letters for a few days. I don't want him getting worse, not for anything. Thinking of which... I sit up and reach for one of the glasses on the nightstand.* Here, lean up for a moment and drink some of this. *I grin and help push the blankets down, handing him the glass.* I want you to get better so I can take you out to the movies next weekend. *Settling back down next to him, I take the other glass and join him in a drink.*
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