spikessweetgirl (spikessweetgirl) wrote in fieldsofgold, @ 2009-01-08 10:44:00 |
|
|||
Chapter 5: Arrival in Paradise
Elijah kept his head down and stayed close to Dominic as they disembarked the plane. Dom kept a secure hand on the small of his back as they entered the milling crowd, searching for a exit. Elijah had spent the flight in a dreamless sleep, warm and secure in the knowledge that he was heading to safety with Dom. He didn’t expect much to happen between the two of them. He didn’t dare hope that Dom still loved him…not after what he had done, but at least his former lover still cared enough about him to make sure that he was good and safe…even if that meant bringing Elijah back into his life.
Trying to seem small and unimportant, Elijah followed Dom out into the open Hawaiian air. He took a deep breath of ocean air and knew that this place was good for him. He’ll heal here. He’ll put his life back together and become Elijah again…someone he hadn’t been for a long time. Maybe he’ll even get back into acting somehow…or maybe not. Appearing on television would give his location away to Kevin and he was not willing to do that. In fact, he was hoping never to see Kevin again.
“I’ll get the car,” Dom gently placed a secure hand on Elijah’s shoulder, his blue-gray eyes warm with concern. “Can you stay here until I pull up or do you want to come with?”
Looking into those eyes, Elijah knew that Dom thought him weak and in need of his care. Dom thought he couldn’t possibly take care of himself. This knowledge caused a slight ache in the pit of Elijah’s stomach. He didn’t want to be weak. He didn’t want Dom to think that Elijah needed him with him every minute of the day, so he just shook his head.
“I’ll be fine. I mean…Kevin’s not here and I’m safe. I’ll wait,” He forced a smile, trying to convey his confidence at being left by himself.
The concern in Dom’s eyes deepened, his gaze trying to penetrate the thin veneer of confidence that Elijah had constructed. He wasn’t buying it, but he didn’t want to push. Maybe it wasn’t a veneer…maybe Elijah really did feel brave enough to stay by himself for a few hours. “Are you sure? You can come with me and we can…”
“I’ll be fine Dom. Honest,” Elijah forced a smile, determined to make Dom see that he wasn’t some weakling that needed to be taken care of. “I’ll be fine. Now go. The sooner you go, the quicker you’ll return.” Please go. Let me be brave for once. Please Dom…
“Ok…fine. I’ll be right back. Ok?”
Elijah just nodded. He smiled under Dom’s penetrating gaze and waved when Dom finally turned and headed for the car park. He breathed in and wrapped his good arm across his chest and tried to keep the confident shield up. Yes, he was alone…he was scared…but he was safe and Dom would be back in just a few minutes. He just had to remain calm and remind himself that Kevin was back in far away LA. He couldn’t hurt him anymore. He was going to be alright. He was going to show Dom just how strong he was.
A flash of a light bulb went off then and a man dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and knee length shorts smiled at him. Another man appeared next to him, a tape recorder in hand, his eyes wide in excitement. “Here we have Elijah Wood. We haven’t seen him in two years, but he’s here in Hawaii, possibly visiting former co-star Dominic Monaghan. Tell us Elijah, where have you been all this time?”
The weak shield of confidence shattered as Elijah backed up, in a effort to get away from the reporter and the man taking pictures. How did they know? Who sent them? Why? Didn’t they know that he couldn’t have his picture taken? Kevin will know and will come for him! Where was Dom?
“Are you and Mr. Monaghan still close?” A different reporter, another photographer, forcing Elijah back with their pictures and their questions.
“Please…go away…” a small plea as Elijah fell to the warm ground, his back up against a nearby tree as the photographers and reporters closed in with their curious questions. Elijah realized then that he was a fool for telling Dom that he was ok. He was far from ok! He felt as if the world was closing in and threatening to squash him like a bug. All he could think of was getting away and that Kevin was going to know where he was now.
“Mr. Wood, where have you been all this time…” Another reporter joined the mix and Elijah cowered, his hat and glasses now gone, having fallen away as he had made an attempt to get away and failed.
“Mr. Wood.”
“Mr. Wood.”
“Elijah…”
“What the fuck! Get away from him!” A angry voice shouted out storming through the crowd of reporters and paparazzi and placing himself between Elijah and them. Elijah looked up to see Dominic standing protectively in front of him, clearly angry. He looked like an avenging angel, ready to throw these demons down to hell where they belonged. Elijah took his hands from his face and stared at Dominic, his guardian angel.
“Mr. Monaghan,” a reporter thrusted a tape recorder in Dom’s face. “Did you know Mr. Wood was in Hawaii? Is he here to visit you? Where has been all this time?”
Dom grabbed the tape recorder and threw it out into the street. “That is none of your fucking business! Now get out of here before I call security!”
“But Mr. Monaghan, what…”
The reporter didn’t get to finish his question. Dom grabbed his shirt and pushed him into the other reporter that was also trying to ask questions. “Leave. Or I’m making a call.” He held up his cell phone, turning it on and getting ready to dial.
For a minute, it looked as if the reporter was going to argue, but then decided to change his mind. Retrieving his recorder, he led the others in fleeing the scene before the angry Brit followed through with his threat. Once they were gone, Dom turned around to face a sobbing Elijah, who again had his face buried in his hands, knowing that he had failed. He had tried so hard to be strong for once, to show Dom that he could take care of himself, but he had failed and now Dom saw him as a weakling, someone that was going to be a burden to him.
“Are you alright, Lij?” Dom knelt down, his voice soft in concern. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left you like that. If I had known that those vultures were circling, I wouldn’t have…god, I’m so sorry.”
Sorry? What did Dom have to be sorry for? It was Elijah that was sorry? He couldn’t even face a few reporters without freaking out. Despite his efforts, he was nothing but a weakling. A burden. Possibly danger if Kevin saw any of those pictures. Dom should hate him and insist that he return to the main land. He shouldn’t be apologizing like this, his beautiful eyes warm with concern. “I’m sorry for being so weak and such a coward, Dom. I tried…I tried to be brave for you so I wouldn’t be such a burden. But that’s what I am. A burden.”
Dom’s eyes widened in clear denial. “Lijah…that’s not true. You’re not a burden and you’re certainly not a coward.”
“But I freaked out just now. The minute those reporters came, I collapsed and look at me. I’m crying. Of course I’m a coward. Not to mention letting Kevin do what he did to me for the past two years…”
“Elijah no,” Dom enfolded him into a warm hug, holding the trembling boy as close as possible, wanting to keep him as safe as he could. “You are not weak and you’re not a coward. In fact, you’re one of the bravest people I’ve ever known. You did the bravest thing in leaving that wanker and coming to find me like you did. You didn’t know the outcome, but you did it anyway. That, love, is bravery. As for what happened just now, that was only natural. For one, it’s been far too long since you faced the media vultures. Then there’s the ordeal you’ve been through. Your reaction was to be expected.”
Elijah wasn’t convinced. There used to be a time when he could handle the most aggressive reporter. Now he cringed away from any kind of media attention. He needed Dom to sweep into save him. He was weak and he knew it. Nothing could convince him otherwise. He sobbed and pressed his tear stained face into Dom’s chest, soaking his shirt with his tears. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…I just…I can’t…”
“Shhh,” Dom stroked Elijah’s hair, wanting to give as much comfort and reassurance as possible. “There’s no need to be sorry, ok. You just need time. That’s all, and I’ll be here to help you. I’ll do whatever you need me to, love. I told you I’m going to take care of you, and I am. I won’t let you go through this alone. I’ll help you heal. I promise.”
Elijah cried even harder. Dom was so good to him. Elijah just didn’t deserve him, but he couldn’t push him away. That was another area in which he was weak. He knew he was bad for Dom, but he couldn’t let him go. There was something within Elijah that had latched on to Dom and was holding on for dear life, determined never to let go again. “You’re too good for me. I don’t deserve you.”
Dom just chuckled and held Elijah even tighter. “Of course you do, love. We all deserve kindness and friendship. Come on, let’s get back to the car. I kept it running and with the way gas prices are running, it’s best that we make use of it now,” Dom helped Elijah to his feet without letting him go. Together, they walked to the car.
As Elijah sank into the seat, he stared out at the scenery, again taken by the beauty of it all. Yes. He’ll heal here, alright. Not only his body, but maybe something as fundamentally important to him as well. His relationship with Dom. He wasn’t consciously aware of it, but at that moment, he made a decision that would affect both of their lives. I’ll get you back Dom. I promise, after I’ve healed up from Kevin, I’ll get you back and I’ll never leave you again.