Fiction - Billy/Dom - Party Lights, Chapter 3

[carribbe.livejournal.com]

Party Lights, Chapter 3
Pairing - Billy/Dom
Rating - NC17
Content - continuation from Chapters 1 & 2
Disclaimer - Continuous fiction & fantastical imaginings.  I'm borrowing Billy & Dom's relationship, and embellishing it to my own satisfaction. 


Party Lights, Chapters 1 & 2  Go here - http://carribbe.livejournal.com/51743.html 

Billy smiled, his fingers combing through Dominic's tousled hair as he lay sleeping, snuggled and secure, head resting on Billy's chest.  His long, dark lashes fluttered only occasionally, his mind undoubtedly busy with the thousand and one simultaneous ideas of his dreams.  Billy had always adored watching him sleep - that untouchable time when all semblance of internal struggles and external facades could be vanquished as time lay suspended in his own special world.  His face was calm, his body relaxed in a way that remained elusive whenever he was awake.  Billy was extra careful as he touched, not wishing to disturb him now that he had found his way back to that special and nourishing place.

Dom shifted suddenly in his sleep, a soft moan escaping from him as he struggled to stretch one long arm, eyes fluttering as though fighting to awaken.  Billy's heart sank, fearful that he had been too careless with his touches and had inadvertently aroused him from a much needed rest. 

"Sshh," Billy whispered, as Dom's eyes closed once again.  "That's it," he added.  "Go back to sleep," he ordered gently. 

Billy felt Dom relax against him, his eyes falling closed once again, his breathing returning to the slow and easy cadence of someone not yet awake.  Relieved, he continued to pet the top of his head, attentive but concerned that he stay sleeping and peaceful.  When he was satisfied Dom had not truly awakened, Billy kissed his forehead before peering at the bedside clock and saw it was still only 4:30.  He knew it wouldn't be light for a couple of hours, and neither of them had fallen asleep until well after midnight.  He blushed as a storm of last night's more torrid memories came rushing back, filling his mind and senses with their heavy after effects.  Although they had nearly torn each other apart in their struggle to be united again, the connection that could not be broken had been reborn into something familiar, strong, and quite stubbornly intact. 

Billy considered several avenues of thought.  He wasn't sure how Dom would react initially, but he knew what his own position would be.  He understood with deep clarity there could be no going back to the way things had been recently.  He didn't relish the task of breaking the news to Ali that he could no longer continue with her in a relationship that could not bind his heart.  He wasn't sure how to begin this massive life change, but he knew he could never abandon his son, and he intended to support Ali as well in all that surely lay ahead of them.  Tonight alone there remained too many unanswerable questions, but he understood very clearly now that he wanted to build something for himself and Dominic in a way their lives could stay blended and stable.  Dom simply could not endure the alternative, and Billy could no longer bear to watch him suffer through additional chaos.  He knew with absolute certainty Dom loved Jack, but his own heart did a tiny dance in his chest as he thought how important it would be that Jack understand just how much Dom meant to him as well.   

Billy would admit to himself now he had been short sighted and irresponsible in thinking things could ever have been otherwise.  He had overlooked by choice the intense way he and Dom had stayed together night after night, week after week, all those years ago in New Zealand.  He had tried to package it neatly into something more commonly described as 'friends with benefits' than anything deeper or everlasting.  Had he been more honest with himself at the time he might have admitted that really hot sex had evolved insidiously into yearning and lovemaking.  Had he dared to be brutally honest, he might have to admit the same type of selective short sightedness was how he had become so involved with Ali after he and Dom had been forced to part ways.  She wasn't him, but she was accessible, and all of the rest had fallen uneasily but predictably into place, at least for a little while.  Now here he was years later, immersed in reality, and in bed with Dom for no other defensible reason than Dom was who he wanted.  The rest of the equation was that he wanted to stay, he wanted and needed to see him every day, to know the peace of waking up with him each morning.  He wanted his strong and sexy body all for himself, and he wanted to keep everyone else he deemed dangerous away from him forever. 

"You've fallen in love with him, ya stupid git," he scolded himself in the still darkened room, "and now you have to make this mess right for everyone," he whispered, if only to himself. 




When next he awakened he found a set of intense, blue eyes watching him.  They smiled at him in acknowledgement, the effect reaching the far corners and causing them to crinkle.  One hand was thrown haphazardly over his head, enabling him to fiddle with a stray piece of Billy's hair sticking obligingly straight up on the top of his head.

"Morning," he said playfully.  

Billy reached for him rather roughly in response and curled tightly around him. 

"Morning," he replied.

Dominic smiled as Billy settled against him, his own body recognizing a sleepy lover's touch, so different, so unique, and so apart from any other.  He was content to be quiet in Billy's arms mostly because he was always happy there, but this morning he also wore the battle scars of some pretty rough foreplay and subsequent loving.  He winced unintentionally, unsuccessful in his attempt to recover quickly as he scooted himself closer to Billy.  Billy had noticed anyway, and Dom next found him balanced on one elbow and hovering over him, concern apparent on his face.

"Dom?" Billy asked, his hand warm where it rested on Dom's belly. 

"I'm ok," Dom responded quickly. 

He was trying to scoot his hips a little further to one side when a sudden burning sensation knifed it's way up his arse.  He hissed despite himself, biting his lower lip and tensing against the intrusion until it passed.  

"Ah man," he managed, as the discomfort eased.  Glancing up sheepishly at Billy he took a deep breath and continued.

"Sorry," he said simply, "but someone among us seems to have fucked me straight into the mattress last night."

Billy felt his cheeks color in the harsh reality of daylight, but he was guilty as accused, and he accepted the realization. 

"I did, didn't I?" he replied, lowering his eyes and splaying his fingers across Dom's belly.  "Yeah, maybe I did."

"Yeah," Dom interjected, "and had I not been knocked almost unconscious, I might have begged you for every second of it."

It was Billy's turn to smile, happy and relieved as Dom reached for him with both arms and drew him into a new embrace.

"Not sure where all of that manly goodness came from Billy," he next whispered near his ear, but I surely needed it." 

"Needed it, too," Billy answered without hesitation, hugging him in return, "that's where it fucking came from."

Billy paused then mentally and considered his next words carefully.   He knew Dom would be most receptive to anything new while bare and vulnerable, and he had vowed to himself it was of primary importance to stop submerging his own feelings. 

"Dom," he began again when he felt ready, "it seems I just can't have you running around by yourself any more.  You inevitably get into all kinds of trouble, which inevitably gets me into just as much trouble.  The next thing you know I'm nearly crazy, you're battered and bloody, and we just can't keep this up."

Dom's only reply was to remain silent, insecurities resurfacing, as he held Billy tighter and pressed his forehead into his neck and sighed in acknowledgement.  

"I'm sorry, Billy," he added moments later.  "I just didn't know what to do, and I fucked up."

Billy allowed Dom to cling to him a few moments longer before pulling gently away.   

"I know," Billy soothed, "I know that, but listen now - I have an idea."

He waited a few moments until Dom seemed less guarded and was able to meet his eyes with a curious look.  He then waited a little longer, enjoying the anticipation apparent on his face before cupping his chin in one hand and saying, "so take a bath with me then, yeah?" 




Dom eased himself into the hot and soapy water, sighing as he did so, and reclined into Billy's waiting arms.  He had lingered in bed while Billy busied himself running a bath and gathering sweet smelling bubbles and a stack of thick towels.  When he called to him at last from the loo, Dom forced himself to sit up and join him in the bubbling tub. 

"Ummm," he groaned in relief as he settled.  "Brilliant, Billy - thank you."

"My pleasure," said Billy, wrapping one arm around his chest as he settled in front of him.  "Relax now," he urged, "and just let me help you."

Dom only nodded in response, enjoying the skin to skin sensation of Billy at his back and the mountains of frothy bubbles surrounding them.  He closed his eyes and allowed himself the deep indulgence of Billy's capable arms around him while he washed his chest with the wet cloth.  His belly was next,  and Dom's taut abdominal muscles stretched and retracted under the careful stimulation.  He widened his legs as Billy lowered his hand to his groin, calming him even more as he did so.  

"Relax," Billy repeated, as he drew the cloth through the dark, curly pubic hair.  "It's just a bath," he added with a teasing trace of amusement evident in his voice.

Dom turned himself in Billy's arms, just enough to rest his face against Billy's neck as he continued to bathe him.  The warm cloth moved next to his hips before sliding across his arse and passing across his tender entrance.  Dom offered no resistance, and Billy kissed him on one ear, affirming the trust and total exposure Dom had always allowed him.    

Billy continued his ministrations for a few more minutes until satisfied Dom was properly cared for.  When he was done he dropped the cloth over the side of the tub and squeezed Dom's elbow, encouraging him to sit up.  Dom straightened himself in the tub, arching his back and stretching, before resting contentedly once again on Billy's chest.  The hot bath had renewed his energy after the previous night's physical acrobatics of partying, near fisticuffs, and eventual hard lovemaking.  He had only thought he had nothing left to give before Billy forced him to find it and give it back anyway.  As a consequence he felt alive and rejuvenated once again, albeit accompanied by a very sore bum.  

Dom turned himself around in the tub just enough to press his forehead to Billy's, nipping his lips with a quick kiss before batting his eyes and focusing his best sorrowful look at Billy. 

"Breakfast, please?"

Billy huffed out his chest in mock irritation, but quickly followed by roughing up the wet hair on the top of Dom's head with a sneaky hand before responding.  

"Yeah, breakfast," he said, but I want to talk to you about a few things first," he began. 

Dom looked mildly nervous, but he remained outwardly calm, waiting for Billy to continue. 

"I think you know I was glad to see you last night, but I've a few things to put on the table, and I'd like to know how you feel about them.  I want to stay in LA a bit longer," he began thoughtfully.  "I want to go back to Scotland at some point," he added a little hastily, "but I want to stay here until I figure a few things out.  I need your help for that."

Dom waited, eyes narrowed in concentration, as he struggled to follow and understand. 

"Ok," he acknowledged. 

"Well, I'll need somewhere to stay, and I was hoping I could stay with you."

"Billy," Dom added in a rush.  "You can stay with me.  You've always known that."

"Yes, I know that, but I'm asking about more than visiting, Dom," Billy added almost in a whisper.  "I'm asking if I can live with you."

Dom stared at Billy with newly wide eyes, struggling to sort out if Billy could be joking, or if this was an actual proposition.  He knew Billy well enough to know in a heartbeat he wasn't joking, but he felt totally unable to respond until an emotional and sudden burst of adrenaline gave him the strength to do so.  Blinking several times he stared at Billy a few seconds more before reaching for his hand and squeezing it firmly.  

"You want to live with me?" he asked, much in need of repetition of what he had just heard.  

"Yes," Billy replied, allowing the idea to sink in further.  

"L i v e with me?" he asked again, needing further affirmation. 

"Yes," Billy confirmed,  "I said, I want to live with you, or you with me - one or the other."

Dominic knew only that his heart had begun to pound in his chest, and a myriad of difficult questions erupted in his brain simultaneously, yet still he cautioned himself against misunderstanding his true intent.  Finding words too difficult, he could only nod affirmatively. 

Billy smiled slowly at him, reading his body language accurately, but realizing Dom was receptive to the idea.  Feeling like he had passed the biggest hurdle, he wanted to move on, but preferred to keep the mood light for now, allowing the major issue to be known, and filling in additional information as it made sense to do so.

"Same bedroom, same bed," Billy offered next, "just in case you were wondering." 

Dom continued to blink at him several times before understanding and acceptance found each other within him at last, and he exhaled heavily, the consequence of unwittingly holding his breath. 

"Tell me I'm not fucking dreaming, Billy," Dominic said earnestly. 

"You are not dreaming, Dom," Billy replied without hesitation.  "I mean every word of it." 

Billy held Dom's eyes with his own, waiting patiently for him to finish processing a lot of very significant information.  He had anticipated needing to wait a bit longer, but Dominic was ready with his answer.

"Yes!" he blurted out without further hesitation.  "Oh God, Billy!  Yes!"




Dom smiled his warmest smile at the young hostess who had seated them in the hotel restaurant.  She blushed demurely under his scrutiny, but recited for them a quick and succinct explanation of the daily special. 

"Thank you," Dom said when she finished, winking at her coyly before she smiled and walked away.  When next he looked at Billy, Dom thought he appeared somewhat disconnected, as though analyzing him from the stand point of some entirely new specimen. 

"What?" Dom asked quickly.  "Did I do something wrong?"

"No no," Billy replied, "there's just this absolutely fascinating undercurrent to everything you do.  I haven't seen that in awhile is all.  Of course, if you would rather..."

"Uh uh," Dom interjected a little too quickly.  "No!  You know I don't," he countered, suddenly fidgeting with the silverware.  "I'm just happy this morning - that's all."

Billy grinned and opened his menu, knowing Dom was being absolutely truthful.  It was his nature to be extremely friendly, and as a rule he liked to flirt with everyone, men and women alike.  

A few minutes later they had ordered their food, and Billy was enjoying his coffee, Dom a hot cup of tea while they waited.  There were few other patrons in the dining room this morning, which left the place pleasantly private and quiet.  A deep sense of calm had washed over both of them as they sat quietly together.  They both had uncertainties and more than a few questions, but they had forged a main, common goal together at last, and now they would take the time to determine their next choices and make a few decisions together.  They both felt renewed and ready for the task, and it was comforting to know that so many things could at last be allowed to make sense.  

"Where to after here, Bill?" Dom began cautiously.  "I mean, literally - where are you going after you check out?"

Billy looked at Dom with a little surprise evident in his eyes, but he reminded himself quickly that there were a lot of concepts still entirely new for both of them. 

"I was hoping to go home with  you," he said easily. 

Dom smiled quickly at him before replying.  "Alrighty,  I just wanted to make sure, and maybe hear it again," he added.  Billy could tell that Dom's mind was still working on something before he continued. 

"Let's go shopping before we go home," Dom said.  "We will need groceries.  Then we can go home and reorganize things, clean up the place together, and make some plans.  I haven't been exactly able to stay on top of how the place looks, Bill.  I hope that's ok." 

Billy grinned in response, understanding Dom's concern, but knowing that he, too, had not exactly been good at taking care of all those little things that life demanded lately.  Housekeeping and decorating had been far from his center of attention, but Dom was much better at that sort of thing than he was anyway.  He had always found it not particularly interesting, but he did acknowledge that all of it sounded delightful if Dom was involved.  

"It's fine, Dom," Billy said.  "I imagine we do need groceries, and maybe a few other things, too.  I'll try to make a list of what I need anyway while we're sitting here.  I didn't leave Scotland with a lot.  I packed pretty light this trip."  

"You have a few things still at my house, Bill," Dom added helpfully.  "Just the other day I picked up some stuff to keep for you just in case you showed up as a surprise.  I don't really know why," he added, feeling a sudden onset of mild embarrassment.  "I guess I was just hoping you'd be able to stay awhile sometime when you were here."

Billy had pulled out a small tablet from his jacket pocket and had started writing a few things down when Dom's comments registered with him.  He stopped and looked at him, curiosity plain on his face, as he considered Dom's words. 

"Ye did?" he asked. 

"Ya, I did," Dom verified.  "I have a few toiletries and other things I know you like.  I found some of that aftershave you like, too." 

Billy was touched by his thoughtfulness.  He had been taking care of himself for so long he simply was not used to anyone else doing the same very often.  Dominic had always been conscientious about anything Billy liked or needed to have around, even the small things.  He had not appreciated that enough before, but now he was awash in the warmth of the realization as it rushed over him while he absorbed what it had truly meant.  In more recent years, outside of his gran and sister, only Dom had ever cared if he had the right kind of toothpaste at home, or if his favorite coffee was available to make.  The simplest of things that made him happy were the things that Dom would purposefully busy himself with, and he had never truly allowed himself to digest what that meant.  He felt suddenly foolish, but he also vowed to change that within himself immediately.   

"Thanks, Dom," Billy said earnestly.  "I do appreciate it."

An hour later they had finished breakfast and had gone back to Billy's room to pack him up.  In no more than five minutes all that Billy now owned here in the States sat in two modestly sized suitcases and one small hand held bag he had kept with him on the plane.  Without further hesitation they had cleared the room, found the front desk, and Billy had checked out of his current living arrangement.  Now free of the hotel, Dom turned to Billy and said, "well, I don't know where you parked.  I wasn't that drunk, but I was a little tipsy.  You'll have to show me where you parked us."  

Billy was reasonably comfortable driving in the States, but was also more than happy to give the driving back to Dom.  Handing him over the same set of keys he had taken control of only a few hours earlier, he couldn't resist a final jab. 

"Just be careful," he chided.  "If I think you're misbehaving I'll not hesitate to take them back again." 

Dom considered the warning as he accepted the keys.  "You need to be careful, too," he countered, lowering his voice.  "I shall get you alone sometime relatively soon, and you aren't the only one who can lose his temper and solve it with sex.  I seem to remember a..."

"Oh I - I remember," Billy interrupted, stammering.  "I remember," he affirmed quickly, a slight blush coloring his cheeks as he glanced at his toes before returning his eyes to Dom and touching his sleeve.  "Believe me, Dom," he said, trying not to giggle.   "Some things one does not forget."

"A particular night in Wellington..." Dom persisted.

Billy tried to resist the pull of this one very special memory, but inevitably his brain returned once again to a night when Dom had not only asked him for his company but had demanded his complete attention.  "As I recall it didn't take too long before you were seeing many things my way," Dom added.  "I can do that again..."

"Get in the car," Billy said suddenly, glancing around as though fearful other people might be listening.  

Dom smiled, but as he was soon staring at an empty space, he got in the car as Billy wanted and closed the car door obediently behind him.  He then turned to Billy with some amusement apparent on his face, analyzing the sudden mini anxiety attack before going further.   

"Bill," he then said in his least threatening tone. 

Billy looked at him then, his face an open book, before he continued.  "Remember, no one knows about any of that.  It's just me here still, just like back then, and no one else will ever know, unless you tell them," he added for emphasis.  "I like remembering for myself, but everything we did that night - every last blessed moment of it - has stayed between us because that's where it belongs.  Getting naked with me is not the same as being totally exposed to the rest of the world, Billy."

Billy looked at him with gratitude, knowing what he said was true, but still needing a moment to reorient himself to his new and chosen reality.

"I know, Dom," Billy said, "I know.  I'm just not as brave as you are."

Dom patted his shoulder and winked at him before finding the ignition with the keys.  He was backing carefully out of the parking space when he realized Billy was talking again.

"I wanted you and everything we did that night, Dom - just like now," he added with a flourish.

Startled, Dom hit the breaks and turned to look at him in surprise.  It was unlike Billy to be so vocal, but it underscored for Dom just how significant this was for both of them.  

"I'm glad, Billy,"  he said simply.  "I'm so glad."

Billy remained quiet, but reached for Dom's hand in order to give it a quick squeeze.  He returned the hand squeeze, and when Dom was sure Billy wanted to say nothing more, he gave Billy's hand a final hug, put the car in reverse, made his way to the front of the garage, and began to merge into the heavy LA traffic.  He retrieved from his visor and handed him the spare pair of sunglasses he always kept in the car just for him.  As Dom concentrated on the traffic, Billy put them on and relaxed into his seat feeling more calm and content than he had in ages, and fully comfortable that it was definitely Dom's turn to drive.         



A couple of hours later they arrived at the apartment Dominic had been most recently leasing in LA, arms full of groceries and new purchases, and a six pack of beer in hand.  Dom opened the front door and pushed it gallantly aside for Billy, allowing him to enter first.  Billy smiled as he walked through the door, his eyes landing on a number of familiar things and objects.  The recognition alone made him feel better, and although he had been to this particular apartment before, that had been months ago.  Today he saw all of it through an entirely new set of eyes. 

He walked next to the small but cozy kitchen around the corner to set down his bags on the counter.  He noticed a few dishes were left in the sink, but things appeared otherwise tidy and organized.  The eccentric taste and presence that was Dom was everywhere in the room, from the brightly colored hand towels hanging near the stove to the flowered tea pot sitting on the rear burner.  It was all perfect, and Billy felt warmed and comforted by the simple presence of everything that belonged to Dom. 

Dom soon appeared next to him as he set the last two bags down on the counter.  He turned and watched Billy's eyes continue to flit around the room taking in the details and absorbing clues about the room and it's occupant.  

"Well?" he asked.  "Does it pass inspection?"

"Of course it does," Billy said.  "I was just enjoying standing here and knowing it's where you live."

"We," Dom corrected him.  

"We," Billy repeated, enunciating clearly.  

Taking Billy's hand in his Dom smiled and nodded toward the hallway.

"That's better, but come on," he encouraged.  "This stuff will be fine for a bit," he said.  "Come see the rest of our place."



Billy stacked the few remaining clothes he had brought with him on the bed and finished closing the second suitcase.  He turned to survey the results a little skeptically - it really wasn't much when he took a hard look at it.  He had enough socks and underwear to get him through two weeks without doing laundry, but he only had about a week's worth of slacks, jeans, and assorted shirts, excluding a couple of suits and more formal attire.  He had exactly three pair of shoes, one pair of sandals, and the shoes he wore only with the suits.  If Ali went bonkers when he told her the news and destroyed the rest of his clothes before he returned to Scotland, this really could turn out to be all he had left.  It wasn't in her nature to behave that way, but he knew he was in uncharted territory here, and it seemed to him as though almost anything was possible.  

He stood there staring at the pile of contents for a moment more before straightening himself and shoving his hands into his pockets.  There was simply so much to contemplate it was difficult to figure out where to begin.  The one thing he knew for sure was he wanted to be here.  The rest was going to take some serious thinking and doing.  A slight noise drew his attention to the doorway where Dom stood leaning against the frame, his arms folded across his chest, a definite look of pleasure on his face as he watched Billy fidget with the clothing.  It was a small domestic moment, but one he would cherish anyway.  Dom liked to watch Billy do anything, right down to the fascinating way he brushed his teeth.  Watching him struggle with something as simple as underwear, socks, and clothing was particularly endearing.  

"You'll have plenty, Billy.  Don't worry," he said, as he moved to stand beside him.  "There is the added benefit you can always wear mine, yes?" 

Billy looked at him appreciatively.  "Yeah, that is a benefit," he smiled, "but there's an upside to everything with you, isn't there?"

"There is as long as you're here,"  Dom replied. 

Billy looked at him gratefully before returning his attention to the haphazard pile of clothing.  He was still staring at it when Dom walked to a nearby dresser, and pulling open a lower drawer, he retrieved a pair of red and white board shorts, tossing them at Billy and hitting him squarely in the chest. 

"Come on," he said next.  "Put those on and meet me out back.  You can do this later," he added with a wink.



Billy opened the sliding door and stepped out onto the back deck wearing his newly acquired and exceptionally snazzy shorts.  They felt soft and well worn, just the way he liked them, and he appreciated the feel of them next to his skin after too many hours in jeans and long trousers.  Peering into the faded light he saw Dom at the far end of the deck reclined in one corner of the pool, surrounded by the underwater jets now open and running full throttle.  The deck lights remained off, the nearly complete sunset providing the only remaining hint of orange light in the far back ground.  LA remained busy and vibrant far below them, but up here in the hills where Dom lived, there were no other nearby houses.  The garden foliage remained heavy and full this time of the year, the air filled with the scent of a variety of plants and flowers of late Indian summer.  From somewhere further still in the distance Billy thought he detected the faint sound of coyote calls in the otherwise quiet night.    

He grinned as he approached the pool, Dom casually laid back and resplendent where he sat strategically positioned against the side, a gurgling jet pounding his lower back.  His arms were stretched to either side of him, his head tilted slightly back, eyes closed and a cold beer in one hand, he looked so greatly at ease that Billy wasn't sure he was actually expecting anyone else.  Billy felt his mouth go dry as he drew close enough to see better, his gaze lingering on Dom's bare chest, the curve of his well toned muscles so undeniably inviting where they rolled and coiled into his arms.  His nipples were a dark and dusky shade of brown in distinct contrast to surrounding skin, his underarms marked by the touch of darker, more coarse patches of hair.  Billy was pondering this particular and delightful set of contrasts when Dom sat up and opened his eyes, thereby adding a splash of bright blue to the total canvass.  The effect in the near dark for Billy was mesmerizing, and he found himself riveted to the spot where he stood, unable to respond immediately, yet tumbling toward him emotionally, harpooned through the heart and captured for keeps. 

A few drops of water hung stubbornly to his long lashes before they became too heavy with moisture and began to slide down the side of his cheek.   

"Hey," Dom said quietly, breaking through his thoughts.  "I've been waiting for you - join me, yeah?"

Billy nodded and sat down briefly on the side of the pool before lowering himself in, hissing slightly as he became more immersed in the very warm water.  He had forgotten that Dom liked to keep the pool water warmer than standard  recommendations, resulting in his personal swimming pool more closely resembling an enormous hot tub than a traditional in ground pool.  He snagged the extra beer he saw waiting for him on the side of the pool before wading toward Dom and wiggling himself into place next to him.

"Ah," he sighed, relaxed and totally content, his eyes widening suddenly as he slid himself closer to Dom.  

"You're naked," Billy whispered, in mock surprise. 

"Course I am," Dom replied calmly.   

Billy took several swallows from his beer before bothering to reply. 

"Dominic," he next offered lowly, "I suspect you're trying to corrupt me."

Dom looked at him sideways for several long moments before having another swallow from his beer.

"And my feelings are hurt," he added, feigning offense, but pausing to have yet another swallow of beer. 

"Yeah?" Dom replied, setting his bottle down carefully.   "Well, come 'ere then," he whispered, reaching for Billy's wrist and pulling him onto his lap. 

"Just how hurt?" he asked, dragging Billy closer and kissing his chin, "cause I'll bet I can fix that."

Billy straddled him then, sliding easily across his legs and settling against his wet skin, his crotch coming to rest against his own growing erection. 

"Very hurt," Billy added, whispering in earnest now, "and I must need you in the worst way."

Dom smiled into his kiss as he drug his lips across his neck, but he recognized the deep honesty in Billy's words.  He understood they were both steering themselves by way of real feelings here, collectively almost too raw to endure.  He slid his hands under Billy's arse, tugging him gently closer, and squeezing him in acknowledgement.

"Ummm, let's fix you then," he soothed, his voice low and rumbling in his throat.  "I think I know what you need," he added, rubbing himself against Billy. 

The nearly uncontrollable urgency of yesterday had receded now, replaced by something more patient but equally demanding.  As Dom slid his hands into the back of Billy's shorts, he drug them down and off, cupping his bare bum in both hands instead. 

"Um, so much better," he added, caressing him there as he continued.  "You have quite the sexy little arse, Bill."

Billy slid toward Dom, their cocks bumping and rubbing, each beginning to swell between them with the intimate contact. 

"Yeah?" he said softly, rocking himself against Dom as he reached to set his own beer on the pool's edge.  "So that's what you say..."

Dom encircled his waist with both arms and placed a small circle kisses across Billy's chest.  What only Dom had known about him had redrawn itself properly front and center in his mind the last two days.  This exceptionally well controlled and proper man, in charge of himself and his emotions almost without exception, was completely available to him alone.  When those first lusty and emotional sparks had begun to build between them years ago in New Zealand, Dom had been happy to make the first move, but his initial advances had been redirected as Billy worked his way through personal uncertainties and doubt.  Then one particularly drunken night, his patience exhausted, his libido in near tatters, Dom had forcefully entrapped him against the rocky shore where they had been surfing all day.  Brushing his lips over Billy's, his voice low and purposeful as he enunciated very clearly, he explained, "if you don't want me to touch you, Billy, I won't, but you are going to tell me which it is - tonight." 

The last fragment of Billy's resolve had crumbled later that night, but it was Dom who had taught him how to harness the intensity of all he was feeling, and even more importantly, how to give it back to him.  His body had yielded and begged him for more, and his mind had dissolved into a pool of pleasure and newly discovered secrets and places.  As Dom could easily match him in sheer physical strength and stamina, it had made everything they had done almost unbearably sustainable.  Dom had managed to hold himself in control until Billy had finished coming undone in his arms before he allowed himself to fall completely apart as well.  He had taught him the beauty of absolute vulnerability through his body, mind, and soul, thereby entangling them both in a heavy emotional web before sending them tumbling together down a long and treacherous path.   It was also the night they had fallen in love with each other, though neither could comprehend the true meaning or enormity of it all until now. 

Tonight also provided both of them with irreplaceable knowledge they had earned through time and experience, time they had spent devoid of each other, and life without findable meaning as a consequence.  Together now as they needed to be, the pressure to furiously love one another before either could disappear again was replaced with a blessed sense of calm and deep happiness.  This was what had been missing in both of their lives, and both had found the ability to claim it from each other as it should be.

Dom tightened his arms around Billy and stood carefully, anchoring him as he sought the deeper water at the center of the pool.  Billy clung to him without difficulty, the water supporting his weight and allowing him to wrap his legs around Dom as he waded.  Reaching waist deep water in the center of the pool, he plied him with light and tender kisses, one hand slipping low to caress the soft mound of his arse.  Billy moved swiftly, cradling Dom's head in his hands, and finding his lips yet again he stole from him the type of kiss he yearned for - the one that promised all he would ever want or need.  Their lips  parted only moments before Dom drew him into another, longer and deeper still, and Billy felt himself nearly moaning at the continual and loving assault.  He was sure Dom could kill him with his kisses alone should he ever truly try, each one so knowing, self-assured, and capable of being his total undoing.

The sun had faded almost completely from the evening sky as their lips parted, the myriad lights of LA beginning to pop and twinkle one at a time in the inky distance.  Billy smiled as he nuzzled his forehead against Dom's while brushing several errant strands of wet hair away from his favorite pair of blue eyes; he saw his own smile returned there before pausing to kiss the tip of his nose and continuing. 

"You Dominic," he soothed, pausing a second time to drag his lips over his, "are all mine now, yeah?" he reinforced in a bare whisper, thumbs stroking him just beneath each ear.  "All mine," he repeated for emphasis.  "You are my own forever party - just you, just me - just like this."