Son Of A Preacher Man (12/?)
Jan. 30th, 2011 08:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
million_starTitle: Son Of A Preacher Man (12/?)
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
millionstar
Pairing: Belldom, AU
Rating: This part, G
Warnings: Language, Sudden Southern Drawls, Tight Blue Jeans.
Summary: AU Belldom, set in the Deep American South. Enough said, y'all.
Feedback: Is welcome & appreciated, if you're so inclined. :)
Archive: Links only.
Disclaimer: I don't own Muse, no $$ being made, and this is fiction. Title taken lovingly from the song of the same name.
Author's note: As always, eternal thanks to my lovely, dear ladiesdolce_piccante, myz_bee and frolicandfall for constant inspiration, love and support. BTW,lalalive23 is uber smexy.
And as always, HUGE thanks to my girl M,captivemuse for her help in all thangs Southern. Your assistance is critical and greatly appreciated, and a case of Cheerwine is headed your way, girl! <3
One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven
Gabriel Howard had three loves.
His first, of course, would always be his late wife, and the second, his handsome, wonderful boys.
The third?
A bowl of butter pecan ice cream on a hot summer evening.
Sure, it was getting late, but it was so peaceful on the front porch swing that he couldn't help but stay outside just a few minutes longer. The fireflies were milling about the yard, the moon hung high in the night sky.
"Daddy?"
Gabriel turned and smiled as his oldest son came outside, the carton of ice cream in his hand, a spoon in the other. The reverend shook his head with a smile.
"Dominic, son, can't you use a bowl? You weren't born in a barn, boy."
Dominic blushed. "Sorry, Daddy. It's about empty, though."
"How can you be hungry still? You ate three plates full at supper!"
"I dunno," the younger Howard whined, sitting down next to his father on the swing.
"Aww, d'ya miss him?" Gabriel teased. He knew full well that when Dominic was upset he tended to eat everything in sight. "It's only been three days!"
"Stop it," Dominic mumbled, elbowing his father in the side playfully.
But that was precisely the problem; he did miss Matthew dreadfully. The morning after he'd unwilingly become a spokesperson for the nude sunbathing contingent in America, he'd come home to find that Kevin was sick with a stomach bug. Since his father had to run to town for medicine, Dominic sat up with Kevin while he was ill. But this meant he was afraid to see Matthew again for fear of making him ill too. He'd spoken with Matthew later that day to break the bad news.
"I don't fuckin' care," Matthew had insisted, "I just wanna see ya! And y'ain't sick yourself, yeah?"
"You've got responsibility at the store," Dominic giggled, "I'd feel awful if y'got sick cos of me, blue eyes. It's just for a couple days."
Gabriel had to admit he was a little surprised that Dominic was out all night long after his and Matthew's first date. But then again, his boy was twenty-two and had a good head on his shoulders.
Dominic smiled to himself, clearly off in his own little world. The sight amused his father until a low cry came down from the mountains behind the house. The two of them sat up a little straighter, listening for the noise to repeat itself. Gabriel cocked his head, watching as Dominic processed the sound; the older man could positively see the gears turning in his son's mind.
"What d'ya reckon, son?"
"Cougar, definitely," Dominic grinned excitedly. "I can't wait t'get started at the park."
Gabriel bit his lip to keep himself from laughing. He knew full well Dominic was eager to start his new job; he'd caught him earlier, dressed in his Ranger uniform, hat and all, admiring himself in the mirror in the hallway. "I'm excited for you! Tuesday morning, in a couple weeks, right?"
"Yep," Dominic beamed. "And after hearin' that," he pointed out at the mountains, "I can't wait to see what other sort of wildlife these mountains are home to."
Gabriel's late wife Gretchen had worked as a secretary for the US Park Service for twenty years. It wasn't unusual at all to find Dominic hanging around the offices after he'd gotten out of school. It seemed he possessed the same love of nature that his mother did. The two of them weren't surprised when Dominic announced that he wanted to make a life for himself in the same organization. Gabriel was a little nervous, though, as he knew it could be a dangerous way to make a living, but he tried to keep a positive attitude about the situation.
"I just... nah, forget it." Dominic chuckled
"Go on."
"I just, I dunno. Matthew, this job, your new church... I feel like maybe this is gonna be the place for us, y'know? I'm just happy, is all."
Gabriel turned to his son. "You would tell me if you ever were unhappy, right, Dominic?"
"Daddy, don't worry about me." His son's voice was serious. "Please. But would ya tell me if you were unhappy?"
"I would. But you don't need to worry about me either, son. I just want you to enjoy life and be the Dominic I've always been so proud of. Now," he cleared his throat, "tell me more about Matthew!"
Gabriel meant every word he'd just said. It was hard enough that they'd lost their mother so tragically, he would settle for nothing less than for his boys to find some peace in life.
The thing is, life is often anything but peaceful. This was something Gabriel had learned first hand this year. His boys weren't aware of the circumstances that led their father to cut ties with their hometown for a fresh start.
It was something else, really; he'd been certain that after losing his wife he could handle practically anything. He was doing just that, for the most part. When he cried he did it late at night once he was certain the boys were sleeping, more often than not out in the front yard, to be extra certain that he'd not be heard. The morning after a particularly rough night he preached a sermon focusing on love to his congregation and had retired to the church office to gather his things before heading home. When he heard a knock on the door and footsteps, he looked up to see his life-long friend Wayne, a deacon in the church.
"Hey! What can I do for you?"
The other man shuffled his feet, eyes cast downward. "Can I ask you somethin', Gabe?"
"Course you can!"
"Why ain't I never seen Dominic with any young women in town?"
"What does that matter?" Gabriel laughed. When his friend didn't join in with the laughter the reverend's stomach began to lurch.
"People are talking."
"Are they?" Gabriel replied casually. "I'm not interested in gossip, Wayne."
"They're sayin' your boy's queer."
Gabriel calmly put his hands on his desk and sat down slowly. He looked his friend in the eyes. "Watch your mouth," he said quietly. They held their gazes, Gabriel's fiery and Wayne's nervous.
"So, it's true."
"What of it?"
"You really think you can preach the word while having a gay son? The congregation won't stand for it, Gabriel."
"It's none of the congregation's concern how my boy lives his life. Dominic doesn't owe them anything." He stood, gathering his papers with a shaking hand. "I'm done discussing this with you."
"The other deacons and I have been talking," Wayne began, swallowing hard.
Gabriel walked over to the window and stared out at the small gravel-covered parking lot. Dominic and Kevin were standing out at the small pond on the church grounds, tossing rocks into the water and horsing around with each other, Kevin's laughter ringing clearly through the windows. "Really? What have you been talking about?"
"Don't make this any more difficult than it has to be, please."
"Make what difficult?" Dominic, who now had Kevin in a headlock, looked up and saw his father looking out the window. He waved, that ever-present smile on his face. Gabriel waved back, forcing a smile onto his own face. He was pretty sure he knew what was coming, but he was going to force Wayne to say it out loud.
"You're gonna have to step aside, Gabriel. The decision's been made."
"Just like that?" the reverend answered calmly, still watching his sons across the yard.
"Look," Wayne said, "I know this is hard, especially since losing Gretchen-"
The reply came quietly. "No. You don't get to say her name."
The deacon winced. "Gabriel, this is a conservative church. We have to think of our reputation. Please understand that."
"I've given this church twenty-two years of my life. Do you understand that?"
"I'm sorry."
"No, you aren't."
Wayne had the decency to remain silent. Gabriel could see that his friend was sweating; he chose his next words carefully.
"This is wrong. This is so wrong. Don't do this."
"We love our church," Wayne replied, "and we won't allow it to be sullied with the presence of a gay man."
The reverend blinked. "Wow. You don't even see how misguided that statement is. You speak of love, yet are acting on hate."
"No-"
"Yes. Hate," Gabriel replied quietly. "Pure, simple hate. The God I serve doesn't deal in hate." The anger and hurt began to boil inside of him and he used what he reckoned was his last chance to reason with his friend.
"Gretchen would be so ashamed of you all."
"Well, Gretchen's not here anymore," Wayne replied quickly. Just as quickly his hand flew to his mouth, as though he was well aware he'd just crossed a line.
Gabriel quietly gathered his papers. At the door he turned and looked at Wayne again. "I'll be back tomorrow to collect my things, when noone else is here."
"Sure. Gabriel, look-"
"Goodbye, Wayne."
He closed the door behind him.
Dominic and Kevin saw him exiting the church and ran toward him. He smiled tightly, tossing his belongings in the trunk of his car. When he looked up, Dominic was staring at him intently.
"Everything okay, Daddy?"
He smiled even harder, ruffling Dominic's hair as he carefully evaded the question. "Let's go home."
That's just what they did. And when Gabriel explained to his boys why he was no longer preaching at their home church that night, he told the first lie he'd ever told in his adult life.
His oldest son's voice brought him back to the present.
"All I know," Dominic said with an easy smile, licking his spoon clean, "is that I ain't never been this smitten with a guy this quickly. He's kind and gorgeous and smart! And his mama and daddy seem sweet too. He makes me smile. I like that."
Gabriel nodded. "Then that's all that matters."
"Although..."
"What?"
"He's got a big old hound dog-"
"Oh!," his father replied, snapping his fingers, "I've seen it at Bellamy's I think!"
"Yeah! Anyway... his dog don't like me much," the young man frowned. Dominic looked so positively broken-hearted as he spoke that his father's heart swelled in sympathy.
"Give it time," Gabriel said, biting back a laugh, and punching Dominic in the arm gently.
"Maybe I could bring him by to meet ya properly soon? Would that be okay?"
"Course it would! He's welcome here anytime."
The two of them looked up at the same time when they heard Kevin walking around upstairs. Dominic picked up the empty ice cream carton and stood up. "No, no. You stay out here and relax, I'll look in on him."
As the screen door shut behind the blond, his father was taken just again with how big of a heart the young man had. That, he was certain, would be Dominic Howard's legacy: his kind heart and generous nature.
That was Dominic.
The young man who was looking after his little brother while he was ill, because he was choosing to, not because he was expected to. The young man who slept at his sick mother's bedside for the last two weeks of her life. The young man who wanted nothing more than for Matthew's dog to like him.
His son was an amazingly kind and respectful young man. He had a habit of always putting others before himself and never met a stranger. That's why it hurt so badly when he was forced out of their previous church, it was like the people who had decided Dominic was something... bad, didn't really know him at all, didn't see him for who he was.
It was their loss, though. It took some time for Gabriel to be able to reconcile that, but he'd finally gotten there. He'd spent so much time in prayer, hoping that this time things would be different, that his son could live his life in peace. He did know one thing, though: if, for some reason, he once again found himself surrounded by bigots, he wouldn't just take it. He'd fight for his son.
And God help anyone who got in his way.
Author:
millionstarPairing: Belldom, AU
Rating: This part, G
Warnings: Language, Sudden Southern Drawls, Tight Blue Jeans.
Summary: AU Belldom, set in the Deep American South. Enough said, y'all.
Feedback: Is welcome & appreciated, if you're so inclined. :)
Archive: Links only.
Disclaimer: I don't own Muse, no $$ being made, and this is fiction. Title taken lovingly from the song of the same name.
Author's note: As always, eternal thanks to my lovely, dear ladies
dolce_piccante, myz_bee and frolicandfall for constant inspiration, love and support. BTW,lalalive23 is uber smexy. And as always, HUGE thanks to my girl M,
captivemuse for her help in all thangs Southern. Your assistance is critical and greatly appreciated, and a case of Cheerwine is headed your way, girl! <3 One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven
Gabriel Howard had three loves.
His first, of course, would always be his late wife, and the second, his handsome, wonderful boys.
The third?
A bowl of butter pecan ice cream on a hot summer evening.
Sure, it was getting late, but it was so peaceful on the front porch swing that he couldn't help but stay outside just a few minutes longer. The fireflies were milling about the yard, the moon hung high in the night sky.
"Daddy?"
Gabriel turned and smiled as his oldest son came outside, the carton of ice cream in his hand, a spoon in the other. The reverend shook his head with a smile.
"Dominic, son, can't you use a bowl? You weren't born in a barn, boy."
Dominic blushed. "Sorry, Daddy. It's about empty, though."
"How can you be hungry still? You ate three plates full at supper!"
"I dunno," the younger Howard whined, sitting down next to his father on the swing.
"Aww, d'ya miss him?" Gabriel teased. He knew full well that when Dominic was upset he tended to eat everything in sight. "It's only been three days!"
"Stop it," Dominic mumbled, elbowing his father in the side playfully.
But that was precisely the problem; he did miss Matthew dreadfully. The morning after he'd unwilingly become a spokesperson for the nude sunbathing contingent in America, he'd come home to find that Kevin was sick with a stomach bug. Since his father had to run to town for medicine, Dominic sat up with Kevin while he was ill. But this meant he was afraid to see Matthew again for fear of making him ill too. He'd spoken with Matthew later that day to break the bad news.
"I don't fuckin' care," Matthew had insisted, "I just wanna see ya! And y'ain't sick yourself, yeah?"
"You've got responsibility at the store," Dominic giggled, "I'd feel awful if y'got sick cos of me, blue eyes. It's just for a couple days."
Gabriel had to admit he was a little surprised that Dominic was out all night long after his and Matthew's first date. But then again, his boy was twenty-two and had a good head on his shoulders.
Dominic smiled to himself, clearly off in his own little world. The sight amused his father until a low cry came down from the mountains behind the house. The two of them sat up a little straighter, listening for the noise to repeat itself. Gabriel cocked his head, watching as Dominic processed the sound; the older man could positively see the gears turning in his son's mind.
"What d'ya reckon, son?"
"Cougar, definitely," Dominic grinned excitedly. "I can't wait t'get started at the park."
Gabriel bit his lip to keep himself from laughing. He knew full well Dominic was eager to start his new job; he'd caught him earlier, dressed in his Ranger uniform, hat and all, admiring himself in the mirror in the hallway. "I'm excited for you! Tuesday morning, in a couple weeks, right?"
"Yep," Dominic beamed. "And after hearin' that," he pointed out at the mountains, "I can't wait to see what other sort of wildlife these mountains are home to."
Gabriel's late wife Gretchen had worked as a secretary for the US Park Service for twenty years. It wasn't unusual at all to find Dominic hanging around the offices after he'd gotten out of school. It seemed he possessed the same love of nature that his mother did. The two of them weren't surprised when Dominic announced that he wanted to make a life for himself in the same organization. Gabriel was a little nervous, though, as he knew it could be a dangerous way to make a living, but he tried to keep a positive attitude about the situation.
"I just... nah, forget it." Dominic chuckled
"Go on."
"I just, I dunno. Matthew, this job, your new church... I feel like maybe this is gonna be the place for us, y'know? I'm just happy, is all."
Gabriel turned to his son. "You would tell me if you ever were unhappy, right, Dominic?"
"Daddy, don't worry about me." His son's voice was serious. "Please. But would ya tell me if you were unhappy?"
"I would. But you don't need to worry about me either, son. I just want you to enjoy life and be the Dominic I've always been so proud of. Now," he cleared his throat, "tell me more about Matthew!"
Gabriel meant every word he'd just said. It was hard enough that they'd lost their mother so tragically, he would settle for nothing less than for his boys to find some peace in life.
The thing is, life is often anything but peaceful. This was something Gabriel had learned first hand this year. His boys weren't aware of the circumstances that led their father to cut ties with their hometown for a fresh start.
It was something else, really; he'd been certain that after losing his wife he could handle practically anything. He was doing just that, for the most part. When he cried he did it late at night once he was certain the boys were sleeping, more often than not out in the front yard, to be extra certain that he'd not be heard. The morning after a particularly rough night he preached a sermon focusing on love to his congregation and had retired to the church office to gather his things before heading home. When he heard a knock on the door and footsteps, he looked up to see his life-long friend Wayne, a deacon in the church.
"Hey! What can I do for you?"
The other man shuffled his feet, eyes cast downward. "Can I ask you somethin', Gabe?"
"Course you can!"
"Why ain't I never seen Dominic with any young women in town?"
"What does that matter?" Gabriel laughed. When his friend didn't join in with the laughter the reverend's stomach began to lurch.
"People are talking."
"Are they?" Gabriel replied casually. "I'm not interested in gossip, Wayne."
"They're sayin' your boy's queer."
Gabriel calmly put his hands on his desk and sat down slowly. He looked his friend in the eyes. "Watch your mouth," he said quietly. They held their gazes, Gabriel's fiery and Wayne's nervous.
"So, it's true."
"What of it?"
"You really think you can preach the word while having a gay son? The congregation won't stand for it, Gabriel."
"It's none of the congregation's concern how my boy lives his life. Dominic doesn't owe them anything." He stood, gathering his papers with a shaking hand. "I'm done discussing this with you."
"The other deacons and I have been talking," Wayne began, swallowing hard.
Gabriel walked over to the window and stared out at the small gravel-covered parking lot. Dominic and Kevin were standing out at the small pond on the church grounds, tossing rocks into the water and horsing around with each other, Kevin's laughter ringing clearly through the windows. "Really? What have you been talking about?"
"Don't make this any more difficult than it has to be, please."
"Make what difficult?" Dominic, who now had Kevin in a headlock, looked up and saw his father looking out the window. He waved, that ever-present smile on his face. Gabriel waved back, forcing a smile onto his own face. He was pretty sure he knew what was coming, but he was going to force Wayne to say it out loud.
"You're gonna have to step aside, Gabriel. The decision's been made."
"Just like that?" the reverend answered calmly, still watching his sons across the yard.
"Look," Wayne said, "I know this is hard, especially since losing Gretchen-"
The reply came quietly. "No. You don't get to say her name."
The deacon winced. "Gabriel, this is a conservative church. We have to think of our reputation. Please understand that."
"I've given this church twenty-two years of my life. Do you understand that?"
"I'm sorry."
"No, you aren't."
Wayne had the decency to remain silent. Gabriel could see that his friend was sweating; he chose his next words carefully.
"This is wrong. This is so wrong. Don't do this."
"We love our church," Wayne replied, "and we won't allow it to be sullied with the presence of a gay man."
The reverend blinked. "Wow. You don't even see how misguided that statement is. You speak of love, yet are acting on hate."
"No-"
"Yes. Hate," Gabriel replied quietly. "Pure, simple hate. The God I serve doesn't deal in hate." The anger and hurt began to boil inside of him and he used what he reckoned was his last chance to reason with his friend.
"Gretchen would be so ashamed of you all."
"Well, Gretchen's not here anymore," Wayne replied quickly. Just as quickly his hand flew to his mouth, as though he was well aware he'd just crossed a line.
Gabriel quietly gathered his papers. At the door he turned and looked at Wayne again. "I'll be back tomorrow to collect my things, when noone else is here."
"Sure. Gabriel, look-"
"Goodbye, Wayne."
He closed the door behind him.
Dominic and Kevin saw him exiting the church and ran toward him. He smiled tightly, tossing his belongings in the trunk of his car. When he looked up, Dominic was staring at him intently.
"Everything okay, Daddy?"
He smiled even harder, ruffling Dominic's hair as he carefully evaded the question. "Let's go home."
That's just what they did. And when Gabriel explained to his boys why he was no longer preaching at their home church that night, he told the first lie he'd ever told in his adult life.
His oldest son's voice brought him back to the present.
"All I know," Dominic said with an easy smile, licking his spoon clean, "is that I ain't never been this smitten with a guy this quickly. He's kind and gorgeous and smart! And his mama and daddy seem sweet too. He makes me smile. I like that."
Gabriel nodded. "Then that's all that matters."
"Although..."
"What?"
"He's got a big old hound dog-"
"Oh!," his father replied, snapping his fingers, "I've seen it at Bellamy's I think!"
"Yeah! Anyway... his dog don't like me much," the young man frowned. Dominic looked so positively broken-hearted as he spoke that his father's heart swelled in sympathy.
"Give it time," Gabriel said, biting back a laugh, and punching Dominic in the arm gently.
"Maybe I could bring him by to meet ya properly soon? Would that be okay?"
"Course it would! He's welcome here anytime."
The two of them looked up at the same time when they heard Kevin walking around upstairs. Dominic picked up the empty ice cream carton and stood up. "No, no. You stay out here and relax, I'll look in on him."
As the screen door shut behind the blond, his father was taken just again with how big of a heart the young man had. That, he was certain, would be Dominic Howard's legacy: his kind heart and generous nature.
That was Dominic.
The young man who was looking after his little brother while he was ill, because he was choosing to, not because he was expected to. The young man who slept at his sick mother's bedside for the last two weeks of her life. The young man who wanted nothing more than for Matthew's dog to like him.
His son was an amazingly kind and respectful young man. He had a habit of always putting others before himself and never met a stranger. That's why it hurt so badly when he was forced out of their previous church, it was like the people who had decided Dominic was something... bad, didn't really know him at all, didn't see him for who he was.
It was their loss, though. It took some time for Gabriel to be able to reconcile that, but he'd finally gotten there. He'd spent so much time in prayer, hoping that this time things would be different, that his son could live his life in peace. He did know one thing, though: if, for some reason, he once again found himself surrounded by bigots, he wouldn't just take it. He'd fight for his son.
And God help anyone who got in his way.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 02:01 am (UTC)Thanks for the update.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 02:07 am (UTC)I really admire Dominic's father in this =) What a strong, loving man...
And Dominic. I have no words. Just...
The young man who was looking after his little brother while he was ill, because he was choosing to, not because he was expected to. The young man who slept at his sick mother's bedside for the last two weeks of her life. The young man who wanted nothing more than for Matthew's dog to like him. - This made me shiver and I nearly cried. Beautifuly written, oh!
I love this story, because it holds so much love!! It's so positive.
*hugs tightly*
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 02:51 am (UTC)That was too wonderful. Dom really is sweet. I liked getting to see a little into the past. It was kind of sad...but it makes sense as to why the Howards are where they are now.
And...for some reason, Daisy reminds me a little of Sugar in my story! hahaa i love it :)
Thanks for the update hun! I always love your fics <3
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 02:55 am (UTC)I hope it works out for the boys and their families, they all deserve it!
Thanks for the update! <3 You're amazing.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 03:01 am (UTC)i'd stop there, but that's not a proper comment on this chapter, now...is it :p
i think i can honestly say, that of the wonderful, hot, lovely stories you've written, i'm enjoying this one the most. the depth of the characters and their backstories, their personalities and conversation just really shows how much more detail is coming through. i think it's wonderful captain.
don't know if it's my place to say this or not, but i'm feeling rather proud of you <3333
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 03:10 am (UTC)"Aww, d'ya miss him?" Gabriel teased. He knew full well that when Dominic was upset he tended to eat everything in sight. "It's only been three days!"
"Stop it," Dominic mumbled, elbowing his father in the side playfully.
Adorable. I love how close they are.
"We love our church," Wayne replied, "and we won't allow it to be sullied with the presence of a gay man."
When people say things like that, I honestly wonder whether they can hear themselves. It's so hard not to lash out at them for it, but it's not even a matter of BELIEF, that sentiment -- that's a lack of logic. Or else, a fundamental misunderstanding of the word "love" or the idea of a "church," for damn sure...
The young man who was looking after his little brother while he was ill, because he was choosing to, not because he was expected to. The young man who slept at his sick mother's bedside for the last two weeks of her life. The young man who wanted nothing more than for Matthew's dog to like him.
I love that Gabriel knows him so well, so precisely. That detail about him worrying over Matthew's dog is the single best thing about this chapter, lol. It says everything about his nature. Makes me giggle.
Another fabulous chapter. :)
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 03:12 am (UTC)And this:
That, he was certain, would be Dominic Howard's legacy: his kind heart and generous nature. That was Dominic.
It made me grin lolike an idiot. Dom's so perfect! <3
I loved the different pov and getting the backstory here!
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 03:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 03:23 am (UTC)There is nothing about this not to love. The way you describe Gabriel and Dominic's relationship is something to love and cuddle and pet.
I know that I keep saying this, but this fic, to me, is like a nice down blanket I just wanna wrap myself up in.
After I fuck the life outta Dom in his uniform.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 03:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 03:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 03:38 am (UTC)And awwww, Dom being all worried about being liked by a dog! So adorable! <3
Lovely, as always! I always squeal a bit whenever I see this updated!!!
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 03:57 am (UTC)"Wow. You don't even see how misguided that statement is. You speak of love, yet are acting on hate."
So very true! People talk of love and peace but then what is this they do? This is a perfect example of when people say things they don't mean or they don't themselves follow.
The young man who was looking after his little brother while he was ill, because he was choosing to, not because he was expected to. The young man who slept at his sick mother's bedside for the last two weeks of her life. The young man who wanted nothing more than for Matthew's dog to like him.
I saw that many have quoted that part and I couldn't resist either. It's so insightful and tells us so much more about the kind of person Dominic is. It's sad that people don't stop and get to know him better. They have no idea what they are missing.
And God help anyone who got in his way.
Powerful! I loved Gabriel!
Thanks for this update and changing the POV. Like I said, it was just perfect!
*smish* <33333
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 04:34 am (UTC)I'm glad Dominic's dad is supportive and doesn't blame him for being the reason he was forced out of the church and their old hometown. I can't wait for him to meet Matt, oooooh boy. xD
Great chapter, D. <3
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 06:00 am (UTC)Lovely update, and it just makes me crave for the next part!
*hugs*
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 06:07 am (UTC)Also epic awww at him wanting Daisy to like him! Can't wait for those boys to meet up again, I love the getting to know you stage of dating when everyones still a bit shy and it's all new :)
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 07:25 am (UTC)I wonder what lie he told them? And I wonder wether Dom will find out.
Please continue soon! :)
<3
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 07:49 am (UTC)The young man who was looking after his little brother while he was ill, because he was choosing to, not because he was expected to. The young man who slept at his sick mother's bedside for the last two weeks of her life. The young man who wanted nothing more than for Matthew's dog to like him. if that didn't break my heart, I'm not sure what will O.O
absolutely stunning ♥
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 09:08 am (UTC)And that ending bit with the description of Dominic's loveliness, it was so sweet :3
Thank you for posting! <3
no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 11:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-31 01:26 pm (UTC)I think you already know it, but I'm telling you anyway... I love this fic :)
It was really nice to read more about Gabriel and the Howards' past
And God help anyone who got in his way
That line but a big smile on my face :D
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Date: 2011-01-31 02:45 pm (UTC)That was Dominic.
And so on. Ah, my heart! <3
Gabriel is amazing, too. The situation is so horrible and it's disheartening that it actually happens, but yeah, GO GABRIEL <3
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Date: 2011-01-31 04:36 pm (UTC)and....... the whole church bit just made me frustrated as it was pretty damn close to how reality is. :( Bluh.
I loved this all very, very much! :D You always do such a fabulous job, D! You really are amazing and insanely talented! Looking forward to more <3<3<3
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Date: 2011-01-31 08:26 pm (UTC)This is such a treat to read every time. I love your writing. Its hard to nail exactly why... but it always feels real and sincere and full of emotion. I somehow connect to it every time. And I'm so thankful.
Love you ♥
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Date: 2011-01-31 09:34 pm (UTC)So me. :')
Aww... that story about them having to leave their old church... it makes me think that, if Dominic ever found out, he'd blame himself. :( Poor Dominic. :(
Dominic looked so positively broken-hearted as he spoke that his father's heart swelled in sympathy.
SO FUCKING PRESH! <33333
I love this, D, you know I do, but I have to tell you every single time. :P <3 *hugs*