Disclaimer: This story is not real. I do not know Dominic Monaghan or Elijah Wood and I don't know if they have a romantic relationship.
Author Note: I took a lot of liberties with the time after Dominic's departure from Lost
Summary: Dominic is done with Lost and has plenty of time for Elijah. They decide to go on a romantic Adventure exploring the US where angst, adventure, and most of all romance awaits them.
Chapter 2: Maine: Breakfast in Bed/Portland Headlight
Elijah stretched and sighed deeply as he came awake, laying on top of a sleeping Dominic. Giggling, he snuggled closer and just stared at Dominic’s sleeping face. Here he was. On a trip he had dreamed about so many times before, with Dominic by his side. It was everything he had ever wanted, yet more than he had ever asked for. Being here with Dominic, no worries, just the whole day to lay about and do nothing but just be together. He sighed contently as a sleepy groan came from his lover’s lips and smiled as grey eyes opened to meet his own. “Hey there sleeping beauty…”
“Morning,” Dominic smiled looking around the room, his head having the fuzzy feeling in his head. The kind where you wake up from a deep sleep and feel dazed and confused when you wake up, not really remembering where you are or how you got there…”Mmmm…where are we?”
“Maine. Inn by the sea,” Elijah smiled, his hands playing with Dominic’s hair. “We’re on our trip, remember?”
“Now I do. Our first destination…can’t wait to see more. Are you hungry?”
“A little, but I can wait,” Elijah giggled, claiming Domnic’s lips in a long sensuous kiss, stretching his body out even more against Dominics, their morning erections rubbing against each other, causing them both to moan. “I just want to stay here forever…”
“We can…but then we won’t get to walk along the beach, or see the light houses…or all the other fun stuff that’s sure to be in store for us…”
“Nothing can beat the sight right here. You, freshly awake, smiling up at me. Fuck, man. You’ll never know how much I’ve missed this when you were away in Hawaii for all those months…”
“I missed it too. Especially that second year…you could have came to Hawaii you know…”
“And have the paps catch us? They were following you around nonstop. If I showed up…well that would have whipped the fans up into another frenzy. I mean…it was fun at first. Teasing the fans. Giving them little glimpses…but now that we’re serious…I rather keep you to myself, if you know what I mean. No more sharing you with the fans and letting them gawk and gaze. Our romance is for us only. No peeking eyes allowed…which is why I’m glad that Evangeline worked as a good cover for you. That threw them off our scent even more.”
Dominic’s gaze shifted to the side, remembering the argument over the phone, just a few days after some fans found those pictures that a friend had posted of him and Evangeline at a bar…
It had been a long day of filming. Dominic entered his house, dumping his keys onto the table before collapsing onto a chair. He loved working in Hawaii. He really did. The weather was gorgeous. The ocean, even more beautiful than New Zealand, and his cast mates were smart and funny and they all got along. It was nothing like the fellowship, but it was still exciting. They were all doing this show and the after affects of it becoming a hit was more immediate than it was with the movies. Plus it was exciting to go to each other’s houses and watch their work.
Then there were the nights when some of them would go out to the bars and get drunk. Like the other night, with him, Evangeline, and some friends. They had spent the night laughing and drinking. Missing loved ones, but yet celebrating this incredible job they had come across. He and Evangeline had especially gotten drunk and had posed for some pictures, doing silly poses. It had been a good time. The only thing was that those pictures had somehow gotten online and were everywhere. He knew that he was going to hear from Elijah about this, and maybe even Billy too. There would either be lots of questions or lots of taking the piss from either one of them. Sure enough, as if summoned by just thinking about him, the phone rang and Dominic had a feeling of who was on the other end. Steeling himself, he picked up the receiver, prepared for a evening on the phone. “Hello?”
“So is she one of your new costars?” any sign of emotion in Elijah’s voice was carefully hidden, not giving Dominic a clue of what he was thinking.
Squeezing his eyes shut, Dominic pinched the bridge of his nose. Fuck. He should have known Elijah would find out about the pictures as soon as they hit the net. He just wished that there had been more time to tell him about the pictures himself. “Yeah. Evangeline Lilly. She’s Kate on the show…she’s just a friend Lij. I swear, there’s nothing to those pictures except two very drunk people playing up to the camera…”
“I know that Dominic,” Elijah giggled, obviously amused. “I trust you. I was just wondering. I mean…my agent said that Lost is going to be like the next big thing…and you and Evi have a nice chemistry there…she thinks that maybe it’d be a good idea if …maybe…you’d take Evangeline on as a beard…”
Dominic groaned and rubbed his face, pushing down the annoyance that threatened to rise up again. He had thought the subject of him and beards was long over with. Ever since they became more serious, Elijah had explained the age old practice of gay actors dating a girl to keep their homosexuality a secret from the public. Dominic had found it quite distasteful. It was so fucking dishonest, and what if the girl developed feelings? It was just something he didn’t want to do and he wished Elijah wouldn’t take part in it. But Elijah insisted, stating that it was essential that he be seen with Pam, to protect the most important thing to him and he wished Dominic would do the same. They had agreed to drop the subject, but now here Elijah was again, not only encouraging him to take up a beard…but make one of his best friends on the set a beard. “Lijah, we’ve talked about this. You know how I feel about bearding….”
“I know, I know and I told her that…but…I also agree with her Dommie. You are going to be in the public eye more often. People are going to pay more attention to you and who you are and are not dating. You’re going to need a beard to protect our love…fuck, I know that sounded lame, but it’s true.”
“Lijah…”
“At least think about it Dom. Please, just consider what’s at stake here. Your career…us…”
It hadn’t taken long for Dominic to come around to Elijah’s way of thinking. It was the paparazzo’s that did it. Always following him around, always asking about his personal life…So he talked to his agents and the Lost suits and just like that he was happily dating Evangeline Lilly and his relationship with Elijah was out of danger of being discovered…
“Hey,” Elijah turned Dominic’s head so he was looking straight at him. “I know you didn’t like it, and I’m sorry…if there had been any other way…”
“No, don’t be sorry. It’s ok, and she had agreed to do it…it’s just…I hated it. Pretending to be in love with her when it was really you. Fuck Elijah, we should be like every other gay couple out there. We should be out and happy. Not living in fucking fear, because of the very thing that brought us together…our careers…we’re so much more than that…”
“I know…and someday we will be like all the other normal gay couples…but right now we’re not normal Dom. We’re as far from normal as we can get. Sure, we’re not a-list, thank fucking god…but we’re still reasonably well known. Especially you, with Lost and all. But given time…we’ll fade into the background and do things like Dancing With The Stars or some shit…and people won’t notice us anymore. They won’t care who we’re fucking…we won’t need beards anymore. It’ll happen Dommie. I promise…”
Dominic sighed, turning his head away for a minute. He wished Elijah wouldn’t insist on hiding their relationship. He didn’t care if people knew. He could give fuck all over what homophobic people may or may not think. If it was a choice between a successful, amazing career, fame and all…and Elijah…Elijah would win each and every time. No contest. It all meant nothing without Elijah by his side. Besides, who said there had to be a choice? Look at that bloke from Grey’s Anatomy. Look at that Neil Patrick Harris bloke. Both are out of the closet, on successful shows, and happy with careers. Why was there a need for them to hide?
“What are you thinking?” Elijah frowned, not liking this conversation at all. It’s been an argument ever since Return of the King wrapped. Dominic wanted to come out and announce their relationship to the world. Fuck the suits. He didn’t understand how Hollywood worked. Why it had been so important to keep their love a secret. Then those other guys had to start coming out and the tension had been building up ever since. Ok, maybe Dominic had a point. Maybe…just maybe there wasn’t a reason to hide anymore…but still…coming out meant sharing Dominic with the rest of the world. Having people in on his private life, wanting to know what they did in their bedroom, if they were planning to marry, if they wanted kids…they’d want in on choices that was his and Dom’s alone…he just didn’t want that.
“It doesn’t matter,” Dominic slid out from under Elijah and sat up on the edge of the bed, rubbing his face. He didn’t want this beautiful morning to turn into a fight. When the subject of coming out comes up, they always ended up fighting. Elijah would cry, he’d brood for the rest of the day, and they wouldn’t make up until night, when they went to bed. He didn’t want that. Not here on their trip…
“They won’t ever leave us alone if we come out Dom…our privacy…”
“We won’t come out, alright. Don’t worry. We won’t tell anyone. I’ll just keep playing along with the Evi rumors you keep posing with Pam…and we’ll just keep going the way we always have. No big deal…” Dom sighed, getting to his feet as his stomach complained with a low growl. This wasn’t going to end well if he didn’t do something to stop it.
“Dominic…”
“I’m hungry. I’ll go order us some breakfast…,” He kissed Elijah’s cheek before racing out the door, making a quick get away. He knew this wasn’t over, but at least now the fight…if there was going to be a fight, won’t be that bad. He really should learn to not bring up he subject of coming out and not to push. It’s just…he sees couples, so happy and together…he wanted that too.
Elijah laid on his side, staring at the door Dominic had just gone through, wondering what had just happened. How had they gone from waking up to a nice morning, full of promise, to once again discussing the bearding problem and coming out? All he wanted was a nice calm morning with Dominic. Spend the morning exploring the beach and maybe going to one of the parks. He didn’t want to have to think about coming out or any of the pressures of Hollywood life.
But maybe Dominic was right. Maybe they should. After all, the gays that are coming out don’t seem to be having any problems. Their fans still stick by them and they were still getting jobs. So what was the hold up? Maybe they should…? Elijah looked up at the ceiling and sighed. Maybe they should. I love you Dominic, I do. I’d come out for you right now…I’m just…I’m just so fucking scared. “If we come out, what if it’ll ruin your career? What if they won’t hire you anymore? What then?”
“Well then it’d be their loss. I don’t want the Hollywood career if it means I can’t have you,” Dominic answered, coming back into the bedroom after ordering some room service. He slid onto the bed and placed a tender hand against Elijah’s cheek, trying to convey his feelings just by that one look. “If there’s a choice to be made, I choose you baby. All the fame, all the money…it’s all just temporary…but us…what we have…it lasts a beyond a lifetime.”
“But you deserve it. You have the talent and the charisma….I can’t let it all get ruined because of me.”
“You won’t ruin it…people don’t care about sexuality anymore…they have other, more important things to think about. They just care that we do our jobs as actors…”
Elijah sighed. Of course Dominic could be right. It was a different atmosphere than it was when they had first gotten together. Different people were in power…Hollywood was becoming more open. Maybe it was possible for them to come out now and there not be any consequences. If only he could be as confident as Dominic….”We’lll see, ok? That’s all I can say right now Dom. Give me time….and then maybe we’ll come out…”
“I’m sorry I was pushing you. I know that you’re not ready…it’s just…I’m so proud of you Lij. I’m so proud that you’re mine and I just want the world to know it…”
Elijah smiled, touching Dominic’s face, his blue eyes sincere and full of emotion. “I’m the proud one, Dom. You showed everyone what you can do and I’m the fucking lucky one to have a boyfriend handsome and as talented as you…and as soon as I’m brave enough…and I’m sure it won’t hurt your career…I’ll declare it to the whole world…”
A warm light entered Dominic’s face, just as there was a knock on the door of the sitting room. He leaned in and kissed Elijah deeply, conveying all of his love to the other man. “Thank you…thank you and I’ll be patient. I swear…”
Elijah just giggled and watched as Dominic again slipped off the bed and out of the room to answer the door. The decision had been a spur of the moment thing. He just couldn’t deny Dom anything when he looked at him like that..as if he was the only person in the world. And surprisingly enough…he meant it. He was still scared, but he was going to work on not being scared…on becoming brave enough to stand up to his agents and tell the truth for once in his life. Hopefully it’d be this trip that would give him the courage to stand up and tell the world about the man he loved. No more posing at fashion shows with Pam at his side. No more trying to convince people that he was anything but gay. Maybe he should start as soon as they get back to LA and he was interviewed again. No more bringing up girls. No more goofy rambles about women and how feminine they were. He’ll be a different Elijah. One maybe not all the way out of the closet, but one that was sticking one foot out of it, anyway. For once he was going to make Dom proud…
“Bon Appetite!” Dom announced, wheeling in a tray laden with breakfast foods. “Let’s see, we have tea, coffee, orange juice, donuts, scones, eggs, sausage, pancakes, apples, oranges, melon and grapes…Mmmm…”
“Dominic, that’s way too much!” Elijah laughed, his own stomach growling as the smell of the food reached his nose. Fuck, he was hungry. Getting out of bed, he grabbed a plate and began ladening it down with food. “We’re never going to eat all of this…”
“We can save it for later…take it to the beach with us for a picnic….give it to the hungry citizens of Cape Elizabeth…save it for after we shag our brains out and need food to replenish…” Dom giggled, watching as his boyfriend bit into a sausage and nearly choke when he started to giggle.
“What are we going to do today? I mean, we can go see the lighthouse…or…we can walk on the beach and commune with the ocean…I can’t make up my mind, so the choice is all yours…”
“Well a morning walk would be nice…and later we can go see the Portland Head…I’m really looking forward to that one. I brought my book of poetry with me…I think it’d be romantic if we sat at the base together and read his poems…”
“That is fucking romantic,” Elijah smiled happily, feeling himself fall a little bit more in love with the Brit. He had never met anyone else like Dominic before. Sure, other men came on to him and expressed an attraction…but with Dominic…there was always something more and he proved that by doing the most ridiculously romantic things one could imagine. Things that Elijah himself would never have thought of doing.
“I’m loving this trip more and more. I haven’t even seen the outside of the hotel yet…”
“Let’s go to the beach now, Dom,” Elijah got to his feet, pulling on his jeans and a flannel shirt. “I’m ready to see the ocean…feel the sand between my toes…do you think the beaches here are any different from California?”
Dominic laughed, loving the curious light in Elijah’s eyes. “I don’t know, baby. I think those are one of the things you probably know more about than I do. But you’re right. We should go now. We can’t waste all day here…you know…let’s save the beach for last. Let’s go see the Porthead first…then we can spend the rest of the day on the beach….”
Elijah laughed and grinned. Dominic’s idea was a better one than the original. If they had gone to the beach first, they would have spent the whole day relaxing in the sun and not even see the Porthead. “Ok. Fine. Let’s go to the Porthead. Now. I want to see it.”
“We haven’t even finished breakfast, yet. Come on love. We have all day. Relax. Eat. Get some meat on your bones, and the we can go see the Porthead.”
Elijah just giggled and shook his head. Like he’d ever refuse this man anything. He wouldn’t. Not even when he was at his wits end with him. “Fine. I’ll have some more eggs please.”
Dominic just smiled and piled more eggs onto Elijah’s plate, looking forward to what the day had to offer. Already they were off to a good start.
~*~
Elijah stood back and watched Dominic as he took picture after picture of the lighthouse called the Porthead. He smiled as he watched. Photography had been one of many of Dominic’s passions, a passion that Elijah fully encouraged. Not only did it keep Dominic from sinking into that funk he was in after the Rings movies, but it gave him another career choice and something to bond over with Viggo, who Elijah thought of as their “surrogate daddy and daddy in law”.
“I think we should see the museum first,” Elijah glanced at his brochure, feeling excitement well up inside him. Lighthouses were so romantic and mysterious. He’s been dying to see one since he was a boy, and now seeing one with Dominic, the man he loved…his imagination was just running away with him. “Come on Dom. Let’s go…you can take more pictures later…”
Dom looked up from the camera and frowned. “But the light won’t be so good later…”
“Dom…” Elijah warningly crossed his arms. “Are we here to explore or just to take pictures?”
His face heating with a blush, Dominic put down the camera and followed Elijah into the museum. It wasn’t that he wasn’t interested, he just loved taking pictures. Catching places and people in a moment of time, forever…”Sorry…just got carried away.”
“It’s ok. Now come on, Sblomie. Let’s go experience history…,” Elijah chuckled, picking up a copy of the museum guidebook. His amused laugh caught the attention of not only Dominic but the other visitors as well. “Listen to this, Dom. Portland Head has long protected Portland and the adjacent area. Cape Elizabeth residents were deeply committed to American independence from British rule. In 1776, the new Town of Cape Elizabeth posted a guard of eight soldiers at Portland Head to warn citizens of coming British attacks…”
“Very funny. So does this mean that since I’m a Brit, I’m invading the Cape?”
Elijah just grinned, finding the piece of information amusing. “Maybe.”
“Hmmm, should find a Brit flag somewhere and claim it.”
“And cause an uprising? Nah, don’t think so. Come, let’s see everything and go outside. I want to see that spot where that poet sat…and hear the poems you promised.”
“Your wish is my command, love,” Dominic took Elijah’s hand, leading him deeper into the museum wanting to see it as well before moving on outside. Once outside, they both settled at the base of the light house and snuggled close together, taking in their surroundings. It was a lovely sight, looking at the sea and the beautiful blue sky, the only sound being the cry of the seagulls.
“This is beautiful. No matter what he got so inspired here…” Elijah sighed, resting his head against Dominic’s shoulder, a smile of contentment on his lips. “Read me one of his poems Dommie…then tell me one of yours. The one you wrote for me in New Zealand…”
Dominic laughed in disbelief. He couldn’t believe that Elijah had even remembered that roughly put together poem he had recited when they had first met. He had been more than a little drunk and more than a little besotted by his lovely co-star, Elijah. “I can’t believe you remember that poem. It was one of my worse…”
“It was one of your best…” Elijah grinned up into Dominic’s eyes. “I loved it.”
Dominic smiled and then laughed. He barely remembered the poem, but he could try to piece it together…leave it to Elijah to pick a poem that he came up with while drunk off his arse. “Your skin glows like pale moonlight, your eyes glow like a blue sky. Red cherry lips, would be so fun to kiss. Everything looks good on you, I swear they do…”
Laughing, Elijah clapped. Ok, it was a fucking awful poem, but when Dominic had first said it to him, with a proud, love struck expression on his face, it had been the first clue to Elijah that his crush was not unrequited. That he actually had a chance with the handsome Brit he had been finding himself attracted to for the past few months.
“Fucking awful. I should be banned from reciting poetry while completely bladdered…”
“I thought it was nice. Especially the part about skin like moonlight,” Elijah giggled.
“You are completely biased love. But enough about yours truly. Let’s move on to the real poet, who had probably sat where we’re sitting now, penning his poems….”
Stifling his giggles, Elijah scooted even closer to Dominic, and placed his head on Dominic’s shoulders. He loved times like this, when he and Dominic were so relaxed with each other. So in tuned and Dominic would read to him. It didn’t happen very often, but when it did, it was magical.
Taking the book he had slipped into Elijah’s man bag out of the case, Dominic opened it to the first poem he found interesting, or at least romantic enough for his lover. “Becalmed upon the sea of Thought, Still unattained the land it sought, My mind, with loosely-hanging sails, Lies waiting the auspicious gales. On either side, behind, before, The ocean stretches like a floor,--A level floor of amethyst, Crowned by a golden dome of mist. Blow, breath of inspiration, blow! Shake and uplift this golden glow! And fill the canvas of the mind With wafts of thy celestial wind. Blow, breath of song! until I feel The straining sail, the lifting keel, The life of the awakening sea, Its motion and its mystery!”
“Lovely,” Elijah smiled, staring out at the sea. “And perfect. Can you imagine what it must have been like back then? On the open sea at night? Your only source of light is a lighthouse?”
“Must have been terrifying. I mean, we all sigh and think these lighthouses are bloody romantic when really, they were the things standing between sailors and certain death…”
“We should tour some more before we move on…search out some haunted ones, maybe?”
“I don’t know…we’ll see…but right now, how would you like another poem?”
His love for Dominic swelling in his chest, Elijah pulled his boyfriend into another kiss, his fingers intwining in Dominic’s hair. Pulling away he happily smiled. “I’d love another one….”
Kissing Elijah once more, Dominic leaned back and read more poems to his lover, taking them both to a simpler, yet more mysterious world, protected by the love they felt for one another. It was one of the best days of both their lives and it wouldn’t be forgotten anytime soon…