Son Of A Preacher Man (19/?)

[million_star]

Title: Son Of A Preacher Man (19/?)
Author: millionstar
Pairing: Belldom, AU
Rating: This part, PG
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 dolce_piccante & myz_bee for their beta skills and constant encouragement. And as always, HUGE thanks to my sis, captivemuse for her help in all thangs Southern. She's got-damned essential to this fic. Make no mistake. <3 Thanks to all three of you for all your help with this chapter and for being so damned amazing.

One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen | Fifteen | Sixteen | Seventeen | Eighteen

"Mornin'," Matthew whispered, his hand curled protectively, yet lightly, around Dominic's neck. Dominic had dreamt about this moment ever since the first and only night they'd spent together; to wake up with his blue eyes right next to him again, but he couldn't enjoy it this morning. The blond closed his eyes with a grimace that he didn't even try to mask, a frustrated grunt escaping his lips.

"That bad?"

The ranger nodded. "Pain's much worse this mornin'."

Matthew sat up, carefully attempting to extricate himself from Dominic's arms until the blond stopped him.

"Please, wait. Gimme a kiss before y'get out o'bed," he pleaded. Matthew laid back down for a moment to do that very thing, Dominic wishing he had the energy to pull Matthew into his arms and hold on to him as tightly as he could. His ribs, however, had other ideas and they protested mightily when he attempted to do just that. As a result, they were only able to share a couple sweet pecks, but neither of them were complaining. With one final, light kiss to Dominic's bruised eye, Matthew sat down, pulling the chair close as he could to the side of the bed. He ran his hands through his hair, frowning at the case of bedhead he was sporting. Dominic didn't mind, though; he merely chuckled at the sight of Matthew's hair sticking out in all directions.

"Y'ain't laughin' at me, are ya, boy?" Matthew warned playfully.

"Just cos yer so damned adorable."

"Dom," he said seriously, "can we talk about this now?"

"There ain't rightly nothin' t'tell, Matty. I was leavin' the park and before I could get t'my truck he jumped me."

"And ya didn't see anything?"

"He said 'hey', and I turned around. That's when he threw the dirt in my eyes. I couldn't see and..." he swallowed, looking away, "... I couldn't even fight back. He fuckin' kicked my ass, and I had t'just take it. Now can we drop it?"

"Did he say anything at all?"

The blond shifted in his covers, shrugging.

"Doesn't matter."

"It does t'me." Matthew said, matter-of-factly. He was trying to be supportive of Dominic, but he couldn't deny that he was growing increasingly frustrated with the blond's determination to avoid discussing what he'd been through. "How can y'even think it doesn't matter?"

"What d'ya want me to say?" He sighed, looking at the cream colored wall, at the pale green nightgown they'd dressed him in, at his fingernails, anywhere but directly at Matthew. The brunet, after a beat, stood up, sitting down next to Dominic on the incredibly uncomfortable bed. He took one of Dominic's hands, squeezing it tightly.

"I want y'to get mad, Dom!" he implored, his tone low but strong. "I want this bastard to pay for what he's done t'ya!"

"Matty," Dominic replied, the frustration rising in his throat, "no."

His mouth flew open to reply but Matthew closed it quickly, covering his mouth with one hand. Dominic sat up, resting his head against Matthew's shoulder, his arms looping around the brunet's waist. They remained still like that for a couple of minutes, the blond holding Matthew tightly. He spoke softly into Matthew's shoulder.

"When he was done, he spit on me. Called me a queer." He could feel Matthew's body tense instantly at his words but he held the brunet even tighter, willing him to relax. Matthew bit his tongue, a single tear sliding across his cheek; he watched as it splashed on Dominc's arm in his lap. Everything felt as if it were spiralling out of control for them, just as things had fallen into a seemingly perfect place. He forced himself to be still as the blond continued talking.

"Think about that; about what it takes t'be that cruel. All that hate, Matty." He shook his head, dropping a kiss to Matthew's neck. "That ain't me. It ain't never gonna be me, either. If he, or anyone else in this town don't like what I am, that's on them. But I won't take part in retribution. That ain't my style."

Matthew looked straight ahead but tightened his grip on Dominic's arms. "Yer a good man, Dominic." As soon as the words came out the brunet wrinkled his nose. The sentiment seemed so... insufficient, really, for there was so much more that Matthew was actually feeling in that moment, but he was afraid to give voice to it. "I'm proud of ya." He could feel Dominic smiling into his shoulder.

"Thanks."

"Hypothetically, though," Matthew said casually, "say I found out who did this and I wanted t'kick him in the balls. Would y'think less of me, Dom?"

Dominic giggled, the bed shaking beneath them. "Ain't no got damned way that I'd ever think yer anything less than wonderful, blue eyes." He groaned, shifting against the pain in his side. "What time is it?"

"Just after six. Should be time for y't'get yer meds again, probably. Want me t'help ya git back in bed?"

"Yeah," Dominic agreed, allowing Matthew to ease him back onto the bed into a comfortable position, smiling when Matthew fussed over tucking him in just the right way. The tip of his tongue peeked out of the corner of his mouth in concentration as he pulled the sheet up to Dominic's shoulders once, then twice, before finally the blond interrupted him.

"It's awful warm."

"I don't want ya gettin' cold," Matthew answered firmly, Dominic's heart swelling at his concern. Typical that while he should be heading home to get cleaned up for his workday, Matthew was busy fussing over Dominic's comfort level. It touched Dominic, and, because it was Dominic we're talking about here, it turned him on a little. The blond's eyes roamed up and down the other man's body; Matthew caught Dominic smiling at him and blushed.

"What?"

"Did ya wear those jeans just for me?"

Matthew blinked. "What?"

"They're so tight, Matty," he grinned, sticking one finger in the air and twirling it wickedly, "turn around like a good boy, lemme get a better look."

"Yer crazy," Matthew replied, snickering despite his beet red face. Both hands were on his hips now." And, I will not. What am I, yer personal ass model?"

"Oh," Dominc's eyes widened, "don't say things like that if ya ain't gonna back it up, sweetcheeks. Please? I'm an injured man!" He pursed his lips forward, the pout now on his face utterly irresistible - left with no other choice, Matthew sighed and relented. Dramatically, he stepped back from the bed and turned around slowly, making a ridiculous production out of bending over.

Dominic wolf-whistled from the bed, clapping his hands as Matthew ended his little show. "The things I do fer you," he muttered, returning to Dominic's bedside. Their hands joined automatically, they'd both learned that it was a physical impossibility for the two of them to be this close and not be touching somehow. Matthew leaned down, their lips meeting sweetly, wetly, repeatedly, until finally they parted for air. The brunet cleared his throat. "I should go on and get cleaned up I reckon. I don't wanna leave ya, though."

"Y'go on. I'll be fine, they're gonna let me go home this mornin', and I'm sure Daddy will be here soon." He ran the pad of his thumb across Matthew's knuckles. "Thank you for stayin' with me, Matty."

"Thank you for lettin' me. I didn't even mind the snorin'," Matthew shot back, wiggling his eyebrows.

"I do not snore!"

"Trust me, Dom, y'do. But it's okay. Hell, last night, it was," he shook his head, a shy smile on his lips, "it was music t'my ears."

"Will I see ya later at my place? Just for a butt, I mean, a bit."

"You. Are. Horrible. And, of course. Nothin' could keep me from ya," Matthew assured him. "I'll let them know at the nurse's station that yer up on the way out, okay?"

Dominic nodded, watching curiously as Matthew stood in the doorway. Dominic knew what he was feeling, he didn't want Matthew to leave either, but they both knew that the brunet had responsibilities at Bellamy's. "Tell your mama and Daddy I said hello, yeah?"

The brunet smiled, nodding as he slipped out of the room.

Eight hours later Dominic and his bruised ribs were home in his own bed. He'd been discharged with strict instructions to take it easy for at least a week, which meant no strenuous activity of any kind. Painkillers had been prescribed, although the doctor warned him that the key to his ribs healing properly was a lot of bed rest. Occasional ice packs and warm baths were another option to try and head off the pain, but the only kind of warm bath he was interested in was one that could be shared with Matthew.

Kevin had welcomed him home happily, so happily that he attempted to awkwardly hug his big brother before Gabriel advised him to be careful of his Dominic's injuries. The little man's face fell.

"Sorry, Dom."

"S'okay, Kev," Dominic answered, ruffling his hair. "Tell ya what, if I'm able later on, we'll play cards maybe?"

"That's a big maybe, son," Gabriel frowned, "y'can't go overdoin' it."

"Are y'hungry Dom?" Kevin asked excitedly, "Want me t'make ya a grilled cheese sandwich like I know ya like it?"

"Well-"

"I just wanna help, just wanna do somethin'," he mumbled. Dominic glanced at Gabriel and smiled.

"If you'll make me two ya got a deal. And I want them extra cheesy, y'hear?"

"Y'want bacon in them too?" Kevin asked, his giddiness growing. Dominic gasped.

"Bacon?! Hell, yes, I do!"

"Alright, alright," Gabriel laughed, helping Dominic ascend the staircase, "Kevin, y'get started and I'll come help when Dominic gets settled, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy!" Kevin answered.

Once in the privacy of his bedroom, Dominic exhaled deeply, a physical release of just some of the tension he'd swallowed down over the past few hours. Padding over to his closet he pulled out an old pair of yellow short shorts, pairing it with a white sleeveless t-shirt. The outfit was soft, light, and especially cool in the heat of the day.

He opened his window, allowing the slight breeze that was running through the valley to flow through his room, then sat down on his bed, trying to ignore the pain in his eye and chest. In an attempt to lose himself, closed his eyes and dozed for a few moments. Kevin brought Dominic's late lunch to his room shortly thereafter. It was composed of two bacon grilled cheese sandwiches, a vanilla moon pie, and a cold can of Cheerwine. The blond was starving, not having eaten since the meal Matthew had procured for the two of them the night before, and he inhaled the food greedily. He'd just finished when his father knocked on his door, asking to come inside.

"You doin' okay there, son?" he asked.

"Tired, but yeah, I'm okay." Gabriel handed him a data disc and stood back, his hands clasped at his stomach. "Take a look at that, DJ."

"What is it?" Dominic asked. "I don't feel like watchin' no movie, Daddy."

"Just watch it, son," Gabriel chided gently. "I'm gonna leave ya be. This is meant t'be watched in private."

The younger man's good eye widened in confusion. "Is it a porno?!"

The preacher sighed, putting both hands on his hips. "No, son, it ain't no porno. Now, you git back in bed and get yer laptop out and watch it. It'll help." With that, he was gone.

Dominic looked at the silver disc his father had left on his bedside table and scratched his head. He was tired and just so thankful to be in his own bed that all he wanted to do was fall into a deep sleep, hopefully to be visited in his dreams by a certain blue-eyed boy. But, whatever was on this disc was clearly pretty important if his father had practically ordered him to watch it, so instead he reached for his laptop, pulling it out from under his bed, and slid the disc into the dvd drive. The smell of freshly washed linens assaulted his senses as he slid down into the soft cocoon of his blankets, his eyes closing against his will.

"Hey, sweet DJ."

Dominic's eyes flew open. He sat up, his mouth open in shock, and pressed the pause button. It was understandable that he was stunned to hear the person speaking to him through his computer. He hadn't heard his mother's voice in well over a year now, after all.

Whatever this was, it had clearly been recorded in the last week or so of her life. Dominic knew this to be true because the vase of yellow flowers that Kevin had picked for her were still at her bedside; they'd only been thrown away the day after she died. She was still beautiful, despite her exhausted state and tired eyes. By this point the chemotherapy had taken her hair, so her head was wrapped delicately in a green scarf, one that had matched her eyes perfectly.

"Hi, Mama," he whispered. He took a deep breath and, with a trembling hand, resumed the video playback.

"I hope t'heaven that yer father never has to give y'this, Dominic," she began, her voice carrying like it always had, with a melodic lilt, "but the thing is, this world can be a harsh place sometimes. And, a Mama worries, y'know? Especially when she knows that she ain't gonna to be able to be around to watch her babies grow into men." Dominic didn't even try to stop the tears that were falling silently down his face as she paused, grimacing in pain. Gabriel came into the shot, holding a glass of water up to her mouth, encouraging her gently to take a sip, then disappeared just as quickly once she'd taken a drink.

"I'm so proud of you, DJ," she continued, "and I just hope that y'know it. I've never once questioned the man you've become, not for a second. But, I ain't gonna lie, I've often worried about what that life might bring you in the form of the cruelty of others." Gretchen shook her head. "I can't help it; yer my baby boy, after all. Just know that no matter what the world has thrown at y'right now, yer gonna rise above it, Dominic. I know it, because yer heart is good and pure, no matter what anyone else says - and y'gotta promise me that you'll remember that."

Wiping his eyes on the back of his sleeve, he sniffled.

"Don't let people take that from ya. Hold yer head high, no matter what, darlin'. And if y'ever find yerself in this kind of situation again, hold fast to it. I hope that you've found an amazin' young man, Dominic, to love and laugh with." Her eyes darted offscreen, Gabriel's voice muttering something that Dominic couldn't make out. Whatever it was, though, it made her giggle; it reminded Dominic of just how the world used to light up when graced with a smile from Gretchen Howard's gorgeous face. With a cheeky point in her husband's direction she warned, "I'll deal with you in a minute, hush."

Dominic laughed, through his abating tears, along with Gabriel. Gretchen addressed him once more.

"Be true to the man yer becomin', no matter what this ol' world throws at ya. I hope that y'never have t'watch this again, my baby boy, so..." she swallowed, looking suddenly very tired. "I'll say goodbye, my sweet Domi-" Her voice broke and she shook her head, a lone tear falling from her face.

"I can't, Gabe," she whispered, "turn it off." With one final look into the camera and one hand resting warmly against her heart, she smiled, blowing her oldest son a kiss as the screen went black.

"You'd love him, Mama," Dominic whispered. "I love him." The tears he'd shed had left him with a headache and his ribs were sore again but somehow he wasn't really bothered in that moment; all he could focus on was Matthew. He hadn't given voice to that particular feeling before; it seemed somehow fitting that the first time he chose to was in a proclamation to the most important woman in his life.

More importantly, though, it was true. He did love Matthew.

Completely.