Bad Day, Part Ten: The Last Scene

Who: Brian and Domino
Where: The house
When: About seven

Between people to visit, Brian had done a lot of thinking. He had a few options ready, now, depending on what Domino said and wanted to do. He knew what he hoped would happen... but he knew what was more likely, too-- and he told himself he wasn't going to be disappointed. He was going to be understanding and work with whatever happened. And he was not going to wimp out and cry.

The big truck rolled into the driveway, and he cut the engine, sitting in the cab a moment to make sure he was collected. Then he slid out and headed inside. Torziel greeted him at the door with an inscrutable look and a tail-flirt, made less fluid and cat-like by all the bandages still on it and his rump, then he trotted off towards the hall. Brian looked around for Domino as the door shut behind him.

Domino was in the kitchen making himself a sandwich when he heard Brian come in. He put down the slice of cheese in his hand and walked into the hall. Brushing his hands on his jeans he looked at the man, not speaking. He didn't know what to say, or what to do. From the expression on Brian's face he knew they were going to talk.

Ah. There he was. Brian smiled a bit and hobbled over, first things first, to give him a little kiss and then wrap his arms around him, resting his head on his shoulder. "It's been a loooong day," he sighed.

Domino held the man firmly, running his hand over the back of Brian's head. He still didn't speak, he didn't want to let this moment pass, Brian felt so warm against him and he didn't want to let go.

At this point, Brian didn't want to get go, either. He buried his face in Domino's shoulder, shutting his eyes and trying to make himself relax. It had been a long day, a tense day of trying to keep himself under control, of forcing emotions as far back as he could. At least he was well-practiced at it. When he finally spoke again, he still hadn't let go, he just turned his head a little so his cheek was on Domino instead of his whole face. "Sorry I was gone so long...."

"Don't be." Domino knew Brian had been off saying goodbyes, he also wouldn't have wanted him there for the call. "You had important things to do." He told the man softly. He wouldn't be the one to give up the embrace first if he let go that would mean that he'd lose the man.

"Unpleasant important things," Brian agreed, not moving still. They could talk just like this. There was no reason to move yet, right? Right. "Hope you weren't too bored waiting for me." Will you wait for me? Do I even have the right to ask that? Will I have to-- will you come with me? Do I have the right to ask that?

Bored? Most definitely not. "I wasn't 'bored', but I wasn't not bored either." Domino said. "Did you get to everyone?" Was Domino the last?

Bored and not bored? Well, that sounded oddly ominous. Brian pulled back only enough to look up at him, and no further, keeping his arms latched firmly around Domino's waist and hips. "I'm done. I'm not leaving the house again until I have to make a plane." Domino was, indeed, the last. And he had so many questions and conflicting wants bubbling around in his head that he barely knew where to begin, much less how.

"And when is that?" Domino asked, looking down at the man. It was a loaded question, after all it's answer would put a timeline on how long they had together.

"I've got to buy a ticket tonight, I'm going to leave in the morning." One more night, was the mantra still in the back of his mind. He couldn't leave Domino without one more night. "Don't know how early. Probably pretty early.... Depends on when I can get in for."

He nodded, trying not to frown. "Well then we have the whole night ahead of us then." At least it was better than him leaving in like... an hour. Oh crap! It just occurred to Domino that Brian leaving meant no more house... what was he going to do the next day?

Luckily for Domino, Brian had already thought of that, though it wasn't occurring to him to bring that up yet. He had other things to get through first. "I kinda did that on purpose," he answered with a little grin, then he finally let him go, only to take his hand to lead him to the couch. They had to talk, and doing it sitting down was probably a good idea.

Domino followed. He didn't say anything, actually was kinda afraid to the comment seemed kinda loaded and he wasn't sure how to respond. Once they got to the couch, Dom sat down, and placed a hand lightly on Brian's leg.

Settling down with relief at getting off his feet again, Brian kept Domino's hand, bringing it to his lips for a little kiss on the backs of his fingers. "Domino," he began, slowly and a little hesitantly. "If... if you wanted to come with me, you know I wouldn't have a problem with it, right?" He'd be relieved and a tiny bit ecstatic, in fact, but he didn't want to pressure the guy's decision any.

If possible the kitty's heart sunk and soared at the same time. "I-" Domino swallowed hard. "I would love to." He said, letting the phrase out there without adding the 'but' right away. It hung in the air like an ominous cloud, but the phrase needed time to settle in and be absorbed before he finished.

If he would love to, why did he look like it was a bad thing? Brian didn't need to sense the unspoken "but" in the air; it was written all over Domino's face. He forced his own expression away from disappointment and into something he hoped was understanding, and then he said the problematic word. "But?" he asked gently, waiting for the other shoe to fall.

"I can't." Domino said, frowning and looking down. He'd never expected Brian to offer him to go with so he hadn't even thought of what he'd say. He was too strong at the moment to cry, but his heart did seem to hurt. "I've got to stay in Marquette." At least for a day, but after? Could he protect her in Marquette? With Mya's help maybe she could bless something for her. "If I didn't I would."

He couldn't. He had to stay in Marquette. No explanation, just that. Brian wasn't sure what to make of it-- some small part of him thought that, once again, he had been reading too deeply into Domino's commitment. That this was a convenient way to get out of a relationship that tied him down. Another part just knew that nursing an elderly mother wasn't something Domino was cut out for, and Domino probably knew perfectly well what would be involved-- and he couldn't blame him. And Mya needed him here. Brian nodded slowly, keeping his expression understanding and neutral. "All right. It was just a thought." He took a breath and moved on, so he wouldn't have to deal with Domino's awkward attempts at explaining. "I don't know how long I'll be gone... at least a couple months, maybe more than a year. But I'm not going to sell the house-- I will come back here."

"Good." He said, to the coming back, not selling the house. "Then there's even more of a reason for me to stay here." After tomorrow. Tell him! Tell him! Domino's inner voices were warring with each other. But he has so much to worry about, he doesn't need to know about your 'love child'. Domino reached up and ran his hand over Brian's cheek. He deserves to know -why- you can't go. "And wait for you to come back." But what would he think, the kid who's already too young for him has an illegitimate kid from when he was 15, 16? And Brian doesn't need to worry about a kid in his life with his dying mom.

Domino wasn't the only one warring. Brian didn't know what to think-- he had to stay, but he'd wait? It made his brain hurt to try and reconcile it, so he just turned into the hand on his cheek and shut his eyes. "You'll wait?" he asked quietly. "Even if it's a whole year? Or more?"

Domino nodded. "Why not?" Brian was the only one he'd made such a connection with after all, someone he'd never gotten bored with and who surprised him. Of course it didn't occur to Domino that this meant that what Brian was asking meant no sex for a year- in his defense of course he wasn't thinking that it was an open invite to have sex with new people either. "You'll be back, I'll be here, when you come back we can be a we again." It made sense.

Though he chuckled warmly at the sentiment, that one little part of him wanted very much to scoff bitterly. A lot could happen in a year or more. Domino wouldn't wait. He couldn't. It simply wasn't in his nature, and at least Brian wasn't going to delude himself that much. But he squashed the urge, not wanting to ruin the moment, not wanting to leave with a fight behind them. He turned his head a little more, kissing Domino's palm gently. "You can stay here. Someone needs to look after the place. You don't have to worry about mortgage, it's paid off, just utilities and insurance. And... maybe ask Olivia if she wants to crash on the couch or something. Her roommate is leaving town, too." The thought had occurred to him on the way home, for if Domino decided to stay.

Domino blinked, he hadn't expected Brian to offer the house. "Really?" He asked, this would mean he wouldn't have to try and find a place for her to sleep. "That's... Thank you."

"Well, it's a waste to let it sit around empty, and hell, I don't wanna kick you out...." Brian grinned a little, aiming for a joke of some sort, as he added, "And this way I don't have to pay bills on something I'm not living in. Seriously, though. Ask Olivia, too, since she might need a place to stay." He would have even offered if he'd thought of it at the time, but really, he didn't think he could've brought it up very well with her, anyway....

Domino nodded. "I will. It's not nice t'live alone." Traveling alone and -living- alone were two different things, Dom had gone nuts in the two months or so he was alone at Fawns. "And I like Olivia… maybe if she wanted t'stay we could push things t'th'side in the spare room and put a bed in there?"

"If I'm gonna be stuck out there for a year or however long, I'll want some of that stuff in that room sent out to me, anyway," Brian nodded. Like his workbooks and various cookbooks. "So that'll clear up some room. You can probably move the desk and one of the bookcases out in here, too, that'll help. Go ahead and move whatever you need... it'll be fine, I'm sure." He wouldn't mind-- he wouldn't be there.

Domino nodded. "Yea." And now was the silence. Tell him! Domino swallowed, looking down to their held hands. "Don't worry, we won't change things too much… don't want to you not recognize the place when you get back." He should know a kid'll be living in his house!

"As long as you don't repaint in pink or put up floral wallpaper or something, I expect it'll be fine," Brian said with a little chuckle, masking the fact that, for some reason, things had turned awkward. He had expected uncomfortable, or unhappy, or even relief, but awkward? He had no idea what had just happened. But he had tickets to buy, so maybe he'd better get on that.... He gave Domino's hand a squeeze and smiled, then made to get up.

Domino didn't move to stop him. "Are you hungry?" He asked. "I was making sandwiches." Domino offered, it was the least he could do… right?

"It's the last meal you have me for, for months," Brian teased, "and you want to make sandwiches? Don't be silly. I'll make you something decent." There was time, he thought as he started for the kitchen. Plenty of time. And maybe it'd give him time to come to grips with everything-- he might not have had much hope, but even having a little could be painful when it was dashed.

Domino stood from the couch and followed Brian into the kitchen. "Thank you, but you know you don't -have- to." He told him. "Anything I can do?" Standing there, being there with him, knowing he was leaving and knowing who was coming he felt like he was walking through a very bad dream. "If you trust me not to screw it up."

"I know I don't have to," Brian said quietly, looking at the floor a moment. "That's why I do it. C'mon, I can put you to work, at least." He looked back up to shoot Domino a grin and motioned him after him.

The strange awkwardness continued through dinner, and Brian absented himself to the den and his cluttered desk to make the phone call for his plane ticket. He wound up sitting on hold for half an hour while he idly practiced playing with light, painting simple little designs in the air while Torziel, in a rare display of cuteness, tried to bat at them, before actually getting someone and ordering. He paid a small fortune for them, but that's how it went when you bought the day before you had to go. By the time he finally hung up, his mood hadn't really improved, and he trudged out to see what Domino was up to.

Domino had spent part of the time cleaning up the kitchen and the rest out back on the patio with a cigarette, trying to sort through things. The phone call kept running through his head and the anticipation of the night ending and the morning starting scared the hell out of him. He pulled one arm over his stomach, holding his other arm and stared out across the yard into the night. How'd things get so fucked up?

The werecat wasn't anywhere in the house. It actually took Brian a moment of hunting and puzzling to think to check the backyard, at which point he poked his head out the slider. "Hey. You know, those things'll kill you, if you keep up with 'em." Meaning the cigarette.

"Yea, that's why it's not a frequent habit." Which was true, Domino had a sporadic smoking habit, some days he'd chain smoke horribly, others he'd go days without lighting up. "Everythin' set?" He asked, glancing up behind him to the man. Domino hadn't cried, but his eyes had gotten really red trying to keep from crying.

"I still have to pack, but I'm probably going to have to leave most of my packing for you... I just don't have time." Brian came out the rest of the way, coming to sit over next to him. He hadn't cried yet, either. He was holding out for the plane trip, when nobody who knew him could see, since he really wasn't sure what was going on right now. "But my tickets are waiting for me for tomorrow."

Domino nodded. "Good... I mean-" He didn't know what he meant and turned his eyes back out. He pulled his feet up a couple steps so his knees were at his chest he he could rest his arms and chin on them. "Dinner was good.. thank you." He said after a moment of silence. There was nothing he could say to change anything and he just didn't know what to do. For one of the first times in his life Domino was too conflicted to think of sex as an obvious recourse of action.

"Not good, but good," Brian said quietly, leaning over a little so their shoulders touched. "I know. I'm glad you enjoyed dinner. It's the least I can do, really...." To show he cared. That there were no hard feelings that Domino wouldn't come with him-- not really. To show Domino was maybe, perhaps, a little bit loved, though he was never going to actually broach that subject with him, now.

Domino tilted his head down so his lips pursed against his arm, his eyes burned as he tried to stay strong. It was tearing him up that he couldn't go with Brian. It was tearing him up even more than he was afraid to tell him why. After another long moment of silence he unpursed his lips from his arm and spoke again. "When's your flight?"

The silence was strange and almost uncomfortable, but Brian didn't know how to break it, either. He was glad when Domino did. "Eight forty-two," he said with a little grin. "I'll be out of here around seven-thirty, probably...." Since it was so close to the airport, and it was a small one. If he'd been flying out of the Houston airport? No way in hell.

That was early. "Mmmm." Domino hummed, taking in a deep breath. His eyes turned back to Brian for only a second before finding some spot out in the lawn to stare at as he blurted, not being able to keep it inside any longer. "You know I'd come with you if I could, but I can't. I have to be here. Tomorrow... a friend- acquaintance from back home is coming by." He said, his voice shaking slightly. He couldn't really unload this onto Brian, it wasn't fair to him. "She called while you were out."

Taken by surprise, Brian straightened a little and blinked at him. "What? Why-- a friend?" That little part of him that kept saying Domino was just glad to be rid of him immediately thought that it was some old girlfriend, some flame come back to pick up where they left off. Someone younger, probably. He shook that off. "Why's she coming by?"

"To... drop something off." He said, skirting around the truth. "She's actually more of a friend of a friend." Domino told him- that one he could be jealous of. "Jen's in trouble and needs me to take care of something for her while... while she can't."

Incredulous and awkward, Brian laughed a little. "To drop-- Domino, if that's all it is, I'll change my flight until after she's come. Tom can wait another couple hours, I'm sure." Did that mean Domino really did want to come with him? That maybe he wasn't imagining the level of commitment he wanted because, well, he wanted it? He really needed to stop getting his hopes up, he knew, but after such a bad day... god, he needed something to feel good about.

Domino was struggling so hard to keep in the tears, he couldn't hide the waiver in his voice and his eyes were ready to burst, but he kept it in as he shook his head. He took in a shaky breath, cleared his throat slightly and spilled. "She's comin' t-t'drop off m'daughter."

That was probably the last thing Brian expected to hear. His mouth fell open and for a long moment he struggled to come up with something to say. What came out wasn't terribly helpful. "Your daughter?"

Domino nodded a little, sniffing back the first tear that fell. It wasn't a real cry, his eyes just couldn't hold anymore. "I din' know." He admitted. "Not somethin' I'd keep t'm'self." The last thing Domino wanted was Brian to think that he was some deadbeat or something. "But Jen's got no family an' must be stuck pretty bad t'tell me. We've not talked since 'fore I left." Dom closed his eyes softly, releasing a bit more clear moisture. "I din' want y't'have t'think 'bout this with everythin'..." He sighed. "I'm sorry." He couldn't help but feel he'd let Brian down somehow.

Shaking himself out of the shock of the unexpected, on top of everything else, Brian leaned back over, and this time tucked an arm around Domino's shoulders. "Hey, it's okay... nothin' to be sorry about, man. You didn't know, and now you have a repons-- reps-- now you got somethin' you gotta do. I know how that goes." Though why Domino couldn't just bring the little girl along, Brian wasn't sure... but he wasn't going to press it just then.

Domnio leaned over, his knees dropping as he feet went down a step so he could lay his head on Brian's shoulder. "She's three... an' she prolly takes after her folks." Her mother being a were as well. Domino raised his head, turned and looked at Brian. His eyes seemed to glisten under the light thanks to the unshed tears. "I'm so sorry." Domino's hand moved to Brian's face, his soft fingers brushing over the man's skin. "I've never been someone who would... I've never found anyone that I... You're s-..." Domino's lip quivered as he tried to round what he wanted to say so many times- he finally gave up. "I'm goin' t'miss you so much." I, love you.

Brian wrapped both arms around Domino, swallowing hard, himself. He'd been fighting off the effects of his emotions all day, but that damn near broke him. "I'll miss you, too, Domino," he said, his own voice tight, and he kissed the man's forehead. "I just wish...." He let that trail off. He didn't want to pressure Domino-- learning he had a daughter, and was suddenly supposed to be responsible for her, was enough pressure already. He just wished... ... yeah.

"I do, too." He whispered, closing his eyes at the kiss. He was so close to loosing it more, and couldn't let Brian see that so he pulled in and put his arms around the man, resting his head on his shoulder. He'd just need a moment to compose himself again.

Brian could stand a moment to re-compose, too-- especially since he could feel static electricity gathering in his hair, a sure sign of incipient short circuit. He shut his eyes, rested his head against Domino's, and breathed slowly, taking in Domino's scent and forcing himself to calm down and relax. If a tear or two leaked out-- and they did-- he let them, but he couldn't lose control. "I'll come back," he finally said, at nearly a whisper. Even if that suspicious part of him knew it wasn't likely, the rest of him just wanted to have something to hold onto. "When it's over. If you'll still have me, then."

"Always." He whispered back. Domino had no way of knowing what the future would bring, but he did know that he had now. Pulling back slowly he looked at Brian. "I want you to know that if I hadn't gotten that call today, I would be on that plane with you. There's just no way a sick woman needs a three year old shape-shifting catgirl around causing problems. But you'll be back and we'll be together and..." Domino had now. He leaned in and kissed the man. He kissed him with more passion that he knew he had in him, channeling all the fear and sadness into something good. Brian was taking an exit from his life, no matter how long or short it would be, but Domino would give him a night to remember him by- always.

For a moment Brian was surprised by the abrupt shift from confession-- good confession, words that made that little tiny, suspicious part of him sit down and shut up for once-- to passion, but he went with it, sliding a hand up into Domino's shaggy hair and pulling him up closer with the other. It kept him from actually crying more-- or, well, kept them from really noticing it when the tears leaked out, more like, because they did-- and it was an outlet for all the frustration, unhappiness, and fear of the past twelve-plus hours. Even if it couldn't last... well, hell, it could be something.

He pulled back, a little breathless and ignoring his damp cheeks and stinging eyes, to suggest, "Inside?"

"Do you even need to ask?" He said, standing slowly and holding his hand out for Brian.

Apparently that was a yes. "Let's go," Brian agreed with a tiny little grin, and took the hand.