Dominic

[nola_remus]

If Gavin worked in a public library, patrons might get an email or autocall when their checkouts were about to expire. And that sounded pretty great to Gavin—no human interaction necessary, pay any fines online, perfect. But since this was a university and the people in charge didn't want their poor students to become even poorer—or be denied a diploma, which could happen if library materials weren't returned—they had to personally call everyone who had books overdue.

It was, more or less, the worst.

There was no open office space, so he had to use the main help desk, out in the open. As he did with every single call, Gavin did a little mental psych-up—this is dumb, it's just reading a script—and took a deep breath before dialing. It rang a few times, and he was starting to think he might luck out with voicemail, but then the patron picked up.

With a wince, Gavin said, voice soft so as not to disturb anyone, "Hello, this is the Tulane Library—no, Tulane, not public. Maybe your child goes here?"

While they sorted out the very complex issue of what the library was, Gavin stared out into the library and—oh God, it was the hot guy. Bunhead guy! Coming his way!

Gavin sank down in his seat a little, trying to disappear, and said into the phone, "Yes, right, well, it looks like your son has a book that's about to be overdue, so if you pass—the name?"

He checked his notes, and was one-hundred percent sure he now looked like he was dying. "Uh, it's called Make Your Own Sex Toys?"

Gavin glanced up, and Jesus, he was making eye contact with the hot guy. "Repeat? Um, yes, ma'am, that was Make Your Own Sex Toys. No, SEX toys. Right."

Hot guy was grinning down at him, enjoying the show. And Gavin was surely going to die.

Comments

[nola_sirius]

Oh boy. Gavin had a smile that warmed some unknowable place in Dominic’s heart. Had he seen this smile before and been chasing something like it forever, or had he just been waiting for it his whole life? Also what was happening to Dominic, he of the nonmonogamy and long sexy weekends, why was he thinking so romantically about this sweet, witty, endlessly interesting guy!

“Is this why you usually ignore me when I flirt with you? Or have you just been playing a great game of hard to get?”

[nola_remus]

Gavin laughed a little, breathless with relief and excitement. He was going to risk something! With this hot, vaguely mysterious, definitely wonderful person who liked philosophy, long hair and, probably, coffee! "I thought she'd bust in and destroy me for trying to chat up her boyfriend."

[nola_sirius]

Oh now Gavin was going to get even more lovely and happy?! And Dominic was just supposed to stand there and take it?! “If I count as a boyfriend, she has a few of them — and some girlfriends, for that matter — so I don’t think she’s going to come in here demanding satisfaction. The duel kind, I mean, she might storm in here and proposition you, because you’re legendarily mysterious and attractive.”

[nola_remus]

"I'm mysterious and attractive?" Gavin asked incredulously. "You're the one who swans in here like there should be a spotlight on you."

[nola_sirius]

There was nothing mysterious about Dominic! He was so knowable. Sure, he kept the softest secret parts quiet, but the rest was on full display. “That’s not mystery, that’s an over-abundance of confidence, and by the way, you’re the spotlight.”

[nola_remus]

"That kind of confidence is mysterious to me," Gavin shot back. "And spotlight on me? No way—faint moonlight, tops."

[nola_sirius]

“Did you know you’re great at quickfire repartee or is this a revelation to you too?” Honestly, it was like looking underneath gold to find even more gold. Or something. “Oh honey, I meant you’re the spotlight I want, not that you should be spot-lit! Candles and moonlight and beguiling shadows for you.”

[nola_remus]

Oh God, was this what it meant to be shook? Gavin actually reached up and pressed a hand to his own heart, because who gets told something like that by a wonderful, amazing semi-stranger without nearly swooning dead away?

"You're too great, it might actually be hurting me?" he said, and please, don't let this be like it was with Gabe, another guy with whom he'd felt a strong, fast connection and amazing chemistry, only for it to fall apart before it even started.

[nola_sirius]

Gavin put a hand on his heart? That was so gorgeous! So sincere! Dominic wanted so badly to grab that hand and pet it soothingly, but Gavin was at work, and Dominic didn't want to make him uncomfortable at work. At least not until Gavin felt comfortable enough to tell Dominic to cut it out. Instead he smiled, some probably ridiculous dreamy smile. "Hurting you is really the opposite of what I'm going for."

[nola_remus]

Suddenly Gavin understood how elopements happened. Or at the very least, how dragging someone into the staff restroom to make out happened, which felt extremely tempting right now.

"I wish I could leave with you right now," Gavin said slowly, with palpable regret. "But I'm working until one." In the morning, that is—the campus library held late hours on most nights, to accommodate student schedules.

[nola_sirius]

Well, someone had to look out for this fragile-not-fragile man as he worked late. "What a coincidence, I was going to study until one." He wasn't, but why not? He was in the library already, he didn't have important plans. "Maybe walk you home."

He mostly meant it innocently.

[nola_remus]

Gavin couldn't help but smile. "Going my way?"

[nola_sirius]

"Yes, finally." Whatever was happening today, whatever wall they had broken down, thank the lord.

[nola_remus]

"Then yeah," Gavin said. He couldn't decide if he felt a softness toward Dominic, or staticky excitement, or somehow both at once, but it felt right. "I'll walk home in the moonlight with you."

[nola_sirius]

Dominic wanted to place a hand on his heart, he understood the impulse now. "I'm trying to contain myself, since I've already been shushed once and I know that means I'm on notice. So I'm going to sit over there--" he pointed out a desk that could partially be seen from Gavin's spot, but wasn't in full, distracting view "--and let you get back to work."

Dominic could behave if the reward was a moonlit stroll with a moon of a human.

[nola_remus]

"That's thoughtful of you," Gavin said, and he meant it. "I'll try not to stare."

[nola_sirius]

"I hope you do stare," Dominic replied, and yes -- he winked.

[nola_remus]

Gavin ducked his head, chuckling, and reached for the phone. He had more calls to make—and good thing he could multitask.

[nola_sirius]

What a beautiful profile. Dominic could watch him for a while without getting even remotely bored. But he wouldn't; he'd give them their space to live their lives, write a paper early, glance at Gavin every so often... it sounded like a great night, actually.