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For Christmas I wrote Daniest a series of drabbles and tucked them in her pressie. I was trying to connect them with a few of my favourite Billy/Dominic pictures, and of course what do I do after I've sent them off? Lose the Quark file with all the pictures, natch. I've tried to rebuild them here, though, along with the drabbles. Thanks to Vanessa, Ana, Patsie and Tricky for the original versions of some of these pics.

Whee? :D




“I’m just a soul whose intentions are good,” Billy growls into the microphone. “Oh, lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.”

Billy’s made mistakes in the last five years, but he’s tried not to hurt anyone else along the way. Dominic tells him bygones are bygones, but if Billy ever thought …

Billy has thought. And now, with Dominic standing just off the stage, he makes a decision. His intentions are as good tonight as they have ever been—maybe even better.

Dominic sees the change come over Billy; feels it, too. And Billy’s certain that he’s not been misunderstood.


Billy and Dominic are not recognized that often. But it does happen, usually when they’re walking together and their voices rise in raucous laughter tinged by accents that are unfamiliar to most American ears.

Billy wanted coffee this morning, and Dominic couldn’t resist him, especially because Billy looked so soft and sweet rolling out of bed and into casual clothes. Everything about Billy is lovely today, and Dominic determines not to let him out of his sight.

After photographs are taken and autographs signed, Billy nudges Dominic’s shoulder with his own. “You alright?”

“Never better,” Dominic grins, and means it.



There’s lots of Dominic in Charlie, Billy thinks. The tics, the chatter, the need to be loved—not to mention the rampant accessorizing.

Billy knows how close Dominic came to turning into Charlie, with the accompanying depression, drugs and fucking around. But not anymore, not after Billy threw him into a bedroom in California and held him there until Dominic had spilled the venom from his heart, mind and body.

Billy sees the photographs now and knows that Dominic will never be as lost as Charlie. Charlie has no one to find him, after all. Dominic will always have Billy.



It’s Elijah’s last day of filming, and Billy and Dominic stand by watching, understanding why Peter doesn’t want to let Elijah go. The friendship means more than any film will make clear, but Peter’s come close.

Billy is not going to miss Elijah that much. But he’s wanted to be here nonetheless, because it’s time for a proper goodbye, at least until premieres. When Dominic embraces Elijah after his final take, and holds him there for minutes, Billy suddenly wants to run. Elijah notices and slides into Billy’s arms, his eyes wet.

“It’s good,” Elijah whispers, and Billy just nods.



This is how they know each other best: stubbled, messy, exhausted but able to smile nonetheless. For the moment, things are not insane, and Billy and Dominic walk through the terminal, cringing against the December cold.

“Only a few more,” Dominic smiles. “They’re going to scream, just be prepared.”

Billy squares his shoulders. “I’ve heard screaming before, you git.”

“Not like this.”

“Are they louder than you?” Billy smirks, remembering last night in Los Angeles and the reason they’re a mess today. Dominic blushes and laughs and nods just before Billy hears the noise sweep over them.

Dominic was right.



Dominic once said that one of his favourite things about Billy was his ability to hold his drink. The importance of a fellow sot in the cast was obviously paramount.

Billy thinks back to the party where Dominic became violently ill, leading Billy to tumble him into a car and send him home.

“Dicky tummy,” Dominic whispers in explanation later when Billy finds him in the bathroom of the hotel room. Billy frowns and rubs his back, moving him toward the bed.

“Stay with me, Billy,” Dominic murmurs. “Have another drink.”

Billy doesn’t want to see another bottle for weeks.



Billy’s looking younger than usual in his costume as he curls on the couch in his trailer and begs for silence. Usually Dominic will allow it, but there are times when his impatience for sleep gets in the way.

“Please, Dom, I’m too old for this. Just a few minutes, and I’ll be good as new.”

Dominic huffs. “I’m bored.”

“Here,” Billy offers, leaning over the arm of the couch and smiling sweetly. “Let me sleep here alone, just a bit, and tonight I promise you won’t sleep alone yourself.”

It’s the best deal Dominic’s made since taking his role.



Dominic’s told the world that when Billy’s speaking, there is no one else in the room. The universe could crash down around them and Dominic would still stay put, waiting for the punchline or the kiss. He’s never certain which to expect from Billy, and they’re both enough.

Dominic listens, staring at Billy’s profile and remembering every time they’ve done this before. They’re won’t be many more times, and it makes him sad. But later Billy tells him that he won’t disappear. Who could leave such a beautiful idiot?

Dominic waits for the punchline, and is grateful for the kiss.



It’s a new look, and one that makes Dominic feel like he belongs here in Hollywood, even if just for tonight. And Billy likes it, too, which is a plus. Billy had adjusted the hat, tilting it to a rakish angle and then scratching his fingernails over Dominic’s newly–shaved jaw.

“Lovely,” Billy had murmured, and Dominic had blushed like a girl.

Now they walk the carpet, and Dominic feels insecure again, thinking he’s surely overdone it. Billy’s hand rests on his back for a moment, reassuring, warm and yet also very firm.

“Lovely,” Billy says again, and Dominic exhales.



The paintjob will amuse Billy, Dominic thinks, but the picture will slaughter him.

Not two nights before, Dominic had allowed Billy a practice run, leaving paint and oil and lust all over their sheets. This afternoon, Dominic’s tried to duplicate the almost tribal splattering of colour Billy left on his body, and for the most part he’s succeeded. The addition of a white circle around his navel will come as a surprise, but a pleasant one.

He poses carefully, shifting his body into unusual displays, enjoying the camera’s attention.

“Comfortable?” the photographer asks, and Dominic giggles.

“As I’ll ever be.”



Dominic’s never cried this much in his life. After so many takes, he’s considering asking Peter to allow Merry to push Frodo’s procrastinating arse on the boat right now.

Still, he’s not as bad off as Billy, who goes to a place deep inside my head when he’s meant to be upset as Pippin. Billy’s version and vision of personal devastation is beautiful, and the only thing keeping Dominic from running off the set in frustration.

Afterward, he holds Billy in their trailer and rocks them both in silence. The time for laughter and drinks will come again soon enough.


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