ficlet: Beautiful Lie

[fox_confessor]

Beautiful Lie
bb/dm, bb/am, dm/am
500 words








"Does she know you loved me?"

"Love."

"What?" Dominic was too busy to listen, cramming his clothes into his carry-on, trying to decide if he even liked the jeans about which Ali had said who did your Bedazzled work there, Dom, or if he could live without them. He'd been away too long to know if they were actually advertising Bedazzlers in the UK and in any case had to bite back his response about a Flowbee and Ali's hair. It would have been a lie anyway. He liked her hair, liked a lot about her. He especially liked how when he kissed her, he could pretend she was Billy.

"Love. Present tense. And she doesn't know."

Dominic's listening now, has slowed his hands at their task though he doesn't stop--doesn't turn. Doesn't want to see Billy's face because he already knows how it will look. Not the clear Pippin expression that he carries to remember Billy by when he's lost in Los Angeles and needs something like a security blanket to curl up with. Without moving, without raising his eyes, he knows that Billy is probably gnawing on his cuticle and burning holes in the back of Dominic's head with a look that Dominic's never been able to cheat or lie to.

She knows now, Dominic thinks but doesn't say. She knew before I opened my mouth. Knew before she let me kiss her. Before she spread her legs. "She doesn't suspect, you don't think?"

Billy doesn't answer but he doesn't have to. Dominic imagines him shaking his head, the guilt plain on his features--the set of his mouth and tilt of his head. It's enough to make Dominic stop and take a deep breath. He throws his bag to the floor, the ridiculous sequined jeans half falling out, and twists to sit on the end of the bed, the mattress sagging beneath his weight.

"If she knew--"

"Stop, Dom."

"Do you think she'd mind, really?"

"Dom." Billy's voice is strained but Dominic can't tell if it's from anger or pain or something entirely different. He toes off his trainers and stands, betting on something entirely different.

"Do you think maybe she'd ask what it was like? How kissing me is different. If you bottom or if I do." She hadn't asked. She hadn't asked anything other than if Dominic likes the way Billy tastes. If he--if Dominic could taste Billy on her. "She'd know that, wouldn't she. She wouldn't have to ask."

Dominic settles on his knees in front of Billy, scrapes his fingers over Billy's thighs and bows his head. Tries to see if he can taste her on him. Billy doesn't stop him but drags him closer with a hand tight on the back of his scalp. Doesn't say anything until Dominic sits back on his heels and wipes the back of his hand over his mouth. "She'd ask me if you know that I loved her, Dom. That's what she would ask."

Comments

[kiltsandlollies.livejournal.com]

This just shot to the top of my favourite short thing you've ever written. *starryeyes* It's amazing. Amazing. And perfect, and it's like you got down here in about 500 words what I've spent almost 30,000 trying to express. :D I absolutely love everything said and unsaid. Nnnngh, so, so, so good. And that's such a killer last line. Oh em gee, I'm going to have to just leave this open all day to read over and over again. @.@

YOU ARE MY VERY FAVOURITE EVER. Not just because of your writing, of course, omg, but the fact that you can do this is just extra extra cherries on my cupcake. <3333333333

[escribo.livejournal.com]

<3 I'm getting better about ripping off band-aids :D

[capra-maritimus.livejournal.com]

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Just so you know, i'd like to put this on my Billy/Dom/Ali fic rec list. May I?

[escribo.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and I'd be honored :D

[capra-maritimus.livejournal.com]

Done. :D
http://capra-maritimus.livejournal.com/140753.html

[eff-reality.livejournal.com]

I have nothing coherent to say. This is SO, so good. This is a fic of my dreams. I want to be in that room and in that world with this dynamic between the three of them forever and ever, Amen.

Thank you!

[escribo.livejournal.com]

Thank you :D It's funny that it's not what I meant to write at all and yet there it is.

[cordeilla33.livejournal.com]

Guh...um...speechless...Wow! *Needs to sit and ponder this!

[escribo.livejournal.com]

Thank you :D

[msilverstar]

Wow. It's taken me three weeks to get coherent about this. Somewhat. The tension here is so strong that it's indelible, and the last line, wow. ow.

[escribo.livejournal.com]

Thank you :D I didn't mean to write this at all. It just...sort of happened (and I wish it would happen more often!).

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

I can't quite put into words how much I like this story. I feel rushed this morning, a lot of original and remix fics to get through, but even if I had time I think it'd be hard. I love the emotional impact, I love the honesty, I love how visual and visceral it is. It's wonderful.