One home down, one to go
Sunday, September 28th
One home down, one to go
A Billy/Dom Chat
Dom: *Puddles splash underneath my skittering tires as I race through the rain, down what seems every muddy road, to Billy's house. By the time his beaten mailbox has come into view, the rain is pouring so hard I can hardly tell if it is his mailbox at all. I turn off on the road beside it, anyway, having high, though thoroughly drenched, hopes that a friendly face will greet me at the end. Billy's porch approaches within seconds and this time I know well enough to just take a flying leap off of my bike rather than let it throw me to the ground in a sopping pile. My feet hit the swelling grass with only a little slip, and I take my mailbag firmly on my shoulder as I race under the dry eaves of the house. Shaking droplets of rain from my hair, I nudge the doorbell with a cold finger. I know what I look like - an absolute bloody mess. But it can't be helped. So, I straighten out my rain-heavy shirt as well as possible and wait for the door to open.*
Billy: *The rain hasn't stopped since yesterday morning, though it has let up every once in awhile. However, this is the most intense I've seen it yet, and as a result I have three sentinel-like cats sitting in the front window, watching from their dry post for passers-by. At one point I go over and join them, but it's so dark and gloomy outside I can't see much past the end of my drive. But they evidently can, because they begin to hiss softly at the approach of a dark shadow. Someone's out in this bloody mess?! And on bicycle, nonetheless. Fool. But that fool turns up my drive and I realize with a sinking certainty who it is. I hadn't realized I had hoped for his visit enough to make it come true! I rush to the door as the bell rings and fling it open.* What exactly are you doing, Dom? *I fairly squeak, taking in his sopping form with a slight trace of worry.* Drowning yourself is not the answer, whatever the problem! *I'm being rude, though, and I step aside to let him in, carpets be damned.* Come in, for heaven's sake.
Dom: *My eyes spring wide as I'm hauled into the house, surprised by the scolding temper in Billy's small voice. The way he welcomes me is enough to make me want to run out and try again, then give him a sopping hug for wanting me "in, for heaven's sake". But, then, it would be a very sopping hug, so I think I might refrain. A rain-tinted smile grows slowly on my lips and I watch him fret with almost uncertain curiosity.* Hello, Bill. Dreadful weather. *I say, trying to squeeze some water out of my sleeves, but then realizing I am indoors and stopping. I stand awkwardly in his entryway, trying to make out what I should do, while my subconscious finds the situation very amusing.* Wasn't trying to drown. Just, you know... out for a bike ride. Thought I'd drop in. *I grin and look over the sweet expression of his worry.*
Billy: *I shake my head in the most scolding manner I can muster, which is probably more distressed than harsh.* Let it be known that where there's no sense, there's no feeling. *I feel stupid and awkward, unsure whether to invite him to sit down or preserve the upholstery. But if I've ever seen anyone soaked to the skin and most likely chilled to the bone, it's Dom, and I dread to think what he's going to catch if he stays in those clothes for one minute longer.* Come on. *I say, tugging his sleeve and starting for the stairs.* Let's get you out of those wet clothes and into something dry. *I'm sure I have some sweatpants and a sweatshirt he can put on for awhile, at least until he's ready to go again, when I will be giving him a ride home, no arguments. As I begin the ascent to my room I cast a glance over my shoulder to see if he's following.* Now, what were you really doing out there?
Dom: *I'm happily tugged up his stairway, dripping in puddles as I go. My ears catch something tempting in his words, but I try to put it off. No, "something dry" does not mean "bed" or "his arms". Cheeky. I try to just focus on /not/ dripping all over the place instead.* It's kind of sad really... *I say, bundling my cuffs into my hands.* And bloody embarrassing... *We reach the top of the stairs and I kind of hiccup the next words while bouncing over the last stair.* My house fell down.
Billy: *I push open my bedroom door before his words catch in my ears and I swivel to face him.* Your house did what?! *Images of a tiny little shanty collapsing on top of Dom in his sleep riddle my mind, and I shake my head to be rid of them.* Shit Dom, where have you been living, a lean-to? *It's not a very funny joke, but it's also not much of a joke. I knew that Dom must have acquired his house for cheap, but I didn't think it was that cheap. But I'm probably over exaggerating things in my mind. It's probably a leak in the roof. I pull open a drawer and rifle quickly through neatly sorted piles, pulling out a pair of sweatpants, a sweatshirt, and a pair of socks, tossing them at him.* Put these on. *I command, pointing to the bathroom. He needs to get warm and dry, and now.* What are you planning on doing now? While your house is fixed?
Dom: *I catch the clothes he tosses in a way that they might remain the least wet, but it doesn't work too well.* Well... I... *Great, the best part.* I am going to try to fix it. I am. *I assure, hoping that saying so will make my next request less of a bother. But I'm really not sure about the house at all. It is...quite...demolished. I give a small, flustered expression.* I was wondering if... *I look at him. He seems almost stressed. Or maybe past stressed and about to shove me into a padded room so I'll never do a crazy thing like this again.* if I could...stay with you. For a while. A short while.
Billy: *I'm ashamed he has to ask at all, ashamed that I had not offered the moment he mentioned the fate of his house.* Of course! *I gasp, nodding wholeheartedly.* There's a guest room with your name on it, for as long as you like. *And I mean it, no time constraints involved. This house has always been too big for one man to live in alone, anyway. But there are other matters to be dealt with at the moment without adding the long-term to it. Number one: get Dom dry. Number two: go get whatever he needs, in a very dry car. I smile at him reassuringly, knowing that this has probably been a bit of a whirlwind for him, from getting expelled from his dwelling to entering the bizarre house of Boyd.* Why don't you get changed, and then we'll head back over to your place to see what we can rescue?
Dom: *A sigh of relief flows through me and I'm almost surprised by his question.* Uhm, yeah, all right. *I nod and smile, feeling the plush of the clothes that Billy has given to me. I can't believe he's letting me do this. I suppose if he could see into my mind, he wouldn't dream of it. I don't suppose.* Uh? where did you want me to change? *I wipe my wet cheek with my damp sleeve.*
Billy: *I grin, glad that there's going to be no dispute, that things are going to work out just fine. I'm really getting to the point where having a housemate is starting to sound like a good idea, and I'm glad it's Dom, of all people. I point again towards the bathroom, nodding.* Go ahead and use the bathroom. I'll wait downstairs for when you're ready. *More like go outside and make sure my clunker of a car hasn't been washed away.*
Dom: *I send him a good smile before I begin to head for the bathroom, bundling the clothes in my hands. He's being so good-natured about this thing. I'm almost finding it hard to believe. I mean, here he is, practically worrying himself into a fret - I must change into dry clothes, I must stay with him. Must I? Doesn't seem like such a horrible obligation. My heart jumps at the idea of being with him so much for so long. He and I in the same house. Waking to breakfast together. Spending afternoons sorting through mail - of various sorts - together. Before I step fully into the bathroom, I turn and grin to see that he hasn't yet left.* Thank you, Bill. Really. *A short pause. Then I move to close the door.* I'll be out in a second.
Billy: *I really don't feel the need to say 'You're welcome' or 'It's no problem,' because I'm fairly sure it's evident now that I'm enjoying the idea of him staying with me. Instead I wave back and leave the bedroom, heading downstairs to root around for my car keys and see if I can find an umbrella. It's a long enough walk from the front door to the end of my drive that I don't want to risk getting Dom's dry clothes wet again. And I don't relish the idea, either. The thought makes me shiver. I make a mental note to make us some tea when we get back and go to lean against the front door, ready to move when he gives the word.*
Dom: *I fidget with the clothes in Billy's bathroom, every so often glancing at myself in the mirror and wondering what I've gotten myself into and why I'm still so excited. My sopping trousers fall heavily to the floor and I step into the pair of sweatpants Billy gave to me. Everything seems so warm and plush now that I'm out of my old rags, even if I do look like I'm making for a jog. I quickly stuff my shoes back on, anxious to get back down to Billy, take my wet clothes up into my arms in a heap and try to fit them on Billy's towel rack before I race out the door. I finally give up on my gravity-enticed trousers, leaving them on the floor and rushing out to the stairs. As I bounce into Billy's entryway I see him at the ready, waiting against his front door for my leave. I smile to thank him for waiting, feeling more and more comfortable as each second passes, even as we head back out and into the rain.*
Billy: *Dom practically bounces down the steps and it's almost as though I can actually physically see the weight lifted off his shoulders. I don't know if he expected that I'd turn him back out in the rain, but I'm glad this situation had given him some relief at least. I hold up the slightly tatty umbrella and push open the front door, stepping out on the porch. I guess I hadn't really realized just how hard it was raining, because even under the overhang of the porch, the air itself makes me feel soaked to the skin.* Damn it... *I mumble, fumbling to open up the umbrella. When I manage to get it open I beckon to him to join me.* Come on, we've got to make a run for it.
Dom: *I love the feeling of being pulled up to his side; now that I'm dry, and 200% warmer. I look at him and the darkness that encloses us both under the umbrella.* Okay. *I say, staring back into the rain, challenging the downpour as if he and I were daring it to get us. I send him a grin from the side as I begin my countdown.* One... Two... Three.... Go! *And we both clatter down the porch steps and skitter through the deepening puddles to his car. Billy scrambles with his keys, finally getting them into the lock and turning them. I run out from under the umbrella and to the other side of the car as Billy opens his door. I open mine, we both jump in, and slam - we're safe. I look to Billy while bouncing in my seat, giddy now from our adventure, and shake some of the rain out of my hair.*
Billy: *I toss the sopping umbrella into the back seat and grin at you, rubbing a hand over my hair to rid it of some of the heavy drops. Sitting up straight in my seat, I glance over at you as I place my hands firmly on the wheel. The raindrops are pelting the windshield so hard I'm surprised the glass hasn't shattered.* All right, Sir, where to? *I smirk and start the car, immediately flipping on my wipers. I can tell visibility is going to be next to nothing. I start down the drive, waiting for directions.*
Dom: *My smile is brimming. Billy looks so small covered in rain.* To my place! *I tease, knowing full well he means "which way". I take a glance in the rear-view mirror, watching the streams of water running down the windows in the back, enunciated through a constant thudding atop the car.* Well... pull out, and then... *I jut a thumb in the right direction to turn after we get out of his drive. Give a rolling nod.* I'll talk you through from then on. *I look out of my window into the storm, and then send a pointed look of uncertain anticipation toward him.* Hope the place is still there.
Billy: *Following his directions at what seems like a crawl, I glance over at him with a slightly worried glance.* Is it really that bad? *I can't imagine living with a leak in the roof, and it certainly sounds like he might have more than a leak. If it is that bad, then I'm certainly glad he'll be staying with me for awhile. I squint back out through the windshield, watching out for any potholes or sinkholes that could send us into a predicament.*
Dom: *I hum under my breath and watch as we slowly make our way out of the drive and, after a few bumps, out onto the rain-darkened road.* Mm... it's pretty bad... But I'm thinking about calling someone in to look at it - see if it can be fixed, you know. Turn right here. *I point slightly toward the road that will lead us past the river and along to my house.*
Billy: *I nod, biting on my upper lip and then chuckling sardonically when, as if it were possible, the rain seems to increase in intensity, pounding down on the car as if it's intending to bash in the roof and drown us both. I would hardly doubt it. It's darker now; more trees on either side of the street shadowing the already darkened road, and I can barely see the pavement in front of us. Good God, if this is what it's like in September... what's it going to be like when the rains really arrive?*
Dom: *I lean up in my seat, watching the rain come down onto the windshield and scurry away behind the continuing wiper blades. Then I sit back and continue with my report of the house.* I can't let anything really horrible happen to the place. I mean, it isn't really mine after all. It's Marty's - my boss's. He gave it to me when I arrived here. And so far he's been helping me work out bills and such. I'd hate to have to tell him that I'd ruined the place; let it all fall down. *The movement of the car and drumming of the rain soothes me a bit too much, and I have to stifle a small yawn. I'm definitely going to need a nap when this is all over. I look to Billy and watch him concentrate on the road. He looks too tense, for some reason. Something in me wants to reach out and touch him, whether to calm him, or simply because he looks warm.*
Billy: I hardly think you had anything to do with it... collapsing. Unless you poked holes in the roof. *I smile, maneuvering carefully out of the way of a bump in the road.* I'm sure he'll understand. He probably knew about its problems. *If that's what you would call them. A house that can't withstand a rainstorm is not a house that should exist in this part of the country. I'm almost glad it's chosen now to fail, because if it had happened during the winter... well, any house with that many leaks isn't likely to be well-insulated. At least now he'll have a warm house to return home to. Only for however long he needs it, of course.*
Dom: Well, he knew about the problems, I suppose. He practically shoved it into my hands when I showed up in the post office. Gave me the key straight away, no questions. *I watch the other, more stable houses pass by as we drive. From one droops a soggy American flag, hanging heavily from its pole and only swaying in a lonely rhythm with the wind. Still, it looks more like home than my place. I wonder what the old log heap looks like now. I face forward and see the river coming alongside. Not long now... What is Billy going to think?* It should be coming up on the right sometime soon.
Billy: *Should be... as if it might have been completely swept away by the rush, without a scrap of roofing tile, a floorboard, a section of foundation left. Frankly, I don't know what to expect. I've got this image in my head, but that's bound to be worse than reality. Curse my over-active imagination and endlessly worrying tendencies. I nod and continue at my snail's pace, passing by some gloomy looking houses and a lot or two of old junk. It's getting increasingly darker as we travel deeper onto the road, and I'm almost afraid Dom will just miss the house all together in this declining visibility.*
Dom: *A familiar dip in the road tells me that we're close. I look ahead out of the window and see a figure approaching. And it isn't flat! Though I can tell from this view that half of the roofing is nearly gone, the rest of the house seems to be doing moderately well. I just hope I'm not too late to rescue the rest of my things. What a poor, unhappy little place. I begin to think it might have done well, if it had gotten some fixing up earlier on.* It's this one, coming up here. *I poke a finger ahead, still watching the house, waiting for it to fall at any moment. I even reach for my safety belt, ready to leap out and bolt into the house to get my things before it crashes.*
Billy: *I head for the house he seems to be pointing at, a calm, quiet little thing with... no visible problems. Maybe it's collapsing in the back.* This is the one? *I inquire, pointing to the house with a questioning glance as I slow our speed more dramatically. He should have no problem having this fixed, I think. Doesn't seem like there's much to fix. This is the right house, isn't it?*
Dom: Uhh.... *I look around and my eye is caught by the sight of the house Billy is referring to.*..uhhohh... *I glance at my house, comparing, and feeling desperately stupid. This is going to be wonderful.* N...no. It's, uhm... that one. *I nod down the road a bit further and I can feel the tension stretch over my face as I see a small corner on the roof of my house slide off its support and onto the ground. My eyes are fixed on the pile of fallen shingles and my voice breaks.* It definitely needs fixing...
Billy: *Oh my. My eyes widen as I pull along the... house... in question and stop the car. I gaze past Dom at the dilapidated structure, unable to fathom how it had stood up to one raindrop, let alone this downpour. I suppose, looking at it optimistically, it's fared quite well, considering it seems to be one of the most unstable looking buildings I've ever seen. But I can't see it that way. I only see Dom in there, under that disaster of a roof, waiting for all hell to break loose and fall down around his feet.* Th... this one? *My voice is timid, uncertain, and almost unbelieving. I don't want to believe.* You've got to be shitting me. *I shake my head and stare at my passenger, waiting for him to inform me of the funny part of the joke.*
Dom: *I look at it, only partially paying any attention to what Billy is saying for fear that the house may give way at any moment now. I unbuckle quickly and fumble to get the belt around my arm. I reach for the car door, then hesitate, remembering to say something, at least, to Bill, as he must be...a little confused.* N..no, Bill, I wouldn't...uh...shit you. *Oh, Hell... I finally get ready, bracing myself for the rain, and open the door to an onslaught of deafening downpour. Pulling the sweatshirt hood over my head, I hope out of the car with a muddy splash and try to pull myself together. I turn to the car and look in quickly.* Be back...real soon. *Then I close the door and back a B-line for my house. I try not to pounce up the steps, but the porch still moans as I come atop it. The screen door has fallen loose again. Hurrying, I push it aside and shove open the door behind it, entering the deep puddle of my home. The ankles of my sweatpants begin to soak in the water as I wade through the kitchen and into the hallway (water is now gushing through the fallen ceiling above the kitchen and shingles fall sparsely). But I ignore the whole mess and press forward to my room, glad the door is still open, though it freely sways in the current of the hall's lake. I enter my room and carefully step around my swiveled bed, gathering up the items on my short nightstand into my sweatshirt, simultaneously grabbing my suitcase from beside the bed and plopping it onto the damp mattress. I fling open the suitcase and dump my items inside, and then I hurry to the bathroom to gather the rest. When everything is finally packed away, I haul up my suitcase with both hands, still attempting to keep my hood up while the rain trickles through my roof. I try not to bump the doorframes as I make my escape, but minor scrabbling tends to happen in these situations anyway, damn it. When I finally am out of the house, I don't even bother to close the door - I just make for Billy's car as fast as I can. As I reach the door handle, squinting through the rain to see if Bill's still within the car, past the fogged window, I hear a bellowing creak from behind. Hell, I don't even want to see it. But when the shuddering boom follows, I know that the front half of my house must have fallen off. I don't bother; just get open the door, get into the car, and set the suitcase squarely on my lap. There. I pull my hood down and scrunch my damp nose, turning to Billy. I try to smile.* There. Done.
Billy: *I haven't done much since we pulled up. Just watched the house with wide-eyed horror. I watched it shudder and quake as Dom stepped upon the front porch steps, watched it vibrate with what I assume Dom's every movement must be inside the house. And I had tightened my grip on the steering wheel with every tremble, tensing up to run in after him if any more of the building started to crumble. I had played at least a dozen horrible scenarios over in my head as the house entered its death throes, tragedies plaguing my thoughts, yet as he pops back into the car, all I want to do is commit one. I take a deep breath.* Dominic Monaghan, I am going to kill you! *It doesn't come out as authoritative as I had hoped it would. Instead, the statement cracks in the middle, betraying the truth behind the words.* Why didn't you tell me it was like this?! Why didn't you come to me sooner?! How could you LIVE in there?! *I've hit my stride now, the anger tainting the words that were only spoken out of true concern and worry. Care. I gesture rather wildly, punctuating the last sentence with a sharp rap with my fist to the steering wheel for emphasis. Which would have worked, had I not missed and hit the horn rather forcefully instead. Even over the rain, it's loud enough to scare the hell out of me, and I let out a not-so-manly shriek, eyes wide and covering my mouth with my hands as I stare at you, before I collapse into my arm on the steering wheel, shaking with silent laughter. Oh, the absurdity... Why hadn't this been a stay-inside-and-do-the-jumble sort of day?*
Dom: *I stare at him with wide eyes. Even if he's laughing, I'm a bit more than confused. Even though his little squeak was terribly adorable, I'm still stunned by his reaction.* I... *I try to speak over the pounding rain, while not sounding too certain about myself, but my attempt soon falls apart completely. My expression softens a bit as I watch him, continuing to giggle against the wheel. Damn that he has to be this way, so sweet and unpredictable. And damn how I like him like that. My mouth slowly curves into an astonished smile. I bounce with one chuckle. And then another. Until I'm silently laughing along with him, paying no attention to the house whatsoever.* Please don't... *My voice squeaks through a giggle.* ...please don't kill me. *It is rather crazy, isn't it? That's right, it's all just nonsense. Rubbish. I should have gone to him long ago, and instead, I was wasting away in my dump of a house. The sight of Billy chuckling makes me even happier - about everything. He is so bloody adorable right now.*
Billy: *I don't know how to react to his change in composure besides just laughing harder, unable to think about anything but that this is something that in the morning will seem unreal. Houses just don't fall down in real life. This sort of thing doesn't ever happen. But it has, and the fact that we can laugh about it only makes me giddier. After a few moments of calming down, I wipe away the tears that are streaming down my cheeks and grin at you.* You, my friend, are an enormous git. Let's go home. *I start my car up and head back the way we came, driving a bit more recklessly with the tension out of the air. When I park back in my drive, I glance at you, shake my head, and pull your suitcase out of your lap.* C'mon then! *Without waiting for an answer I hop out of the car, hefting your suitcase with me, and run up to unlock the front door and step inside.*
Dom: *I bit my tongue, grinning as I watch Billy skip so happily up the steps and out of the rain. Opening my door, I rush after him, holding my hood over my head until I am ducked under the safety of the eaves. My insides are still spinning with old laughter as Bill pulls out his keys and unlock the door. When we are both finally safe and secure in the house, a new rush of giggles rushes up through me, just standing in the entryway.* I can't believe my house fell down. *I raise a brow to you, still bounding with amazement.* Was it bad? I don't think I ever looked back at it. Should I still call for repairs? *My last question comes with a wave of bubbling laughter, and I carefully rub my wet hands dry against my sweatpants while trying not to begin another laughing fit.*
Billy: *I begin to giggle again, my stomach beginning to ache, and I cut of the next fit with a cough.* I think you'd be better off scrapping it for lumber and giving that to Marty. He'd get more out of it that way. *I grin, standing there in my entryway, still trying to refill my lungs with oxygen and I look at you, really look. You're here now. This is your home for now. And if there was ever a test that we got along well enough to live together, that was it.* Look at you. Look at me. We were just dry a minute ago, I swear! *I turn towards the stair and look back at you over my shoulder.* C'mon. Let's see how much of my stuff we can soak in one day.
Dom: *My grin must spread from ear to ear. We are definitely one great, bloody mess.* Sounds like a good time to me. *I begin to follow him up the steps, run my hand over the rail, trace my eyes back up to him. Inevitably... I'm going to have to be here for a very long time. But "have to" sounds so opposite to what I feel. There Billy stands at the top of the stair, turning back to smile down on me. How many days will end like this now? How many breakfasts together, firesides, giggle tantrums? I reach the top of the steps, meeting him there with a similar look about us. My clothes are still dripping and I grin at him as if to say "you're due for a great, sopping hug".*
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