schmerica: (ray pretty)
Pearl-o ([personal profile] schmerica) wrote2005-03-23 08:09 pm

new wilby wonderful story

Title: Close
Fandom: Wilby Wonderful
Rating: PG-13
Paring: Duck/Dan
Summary: "What do you like?"
About 1000 words. Thank you to [livejournal.com profile] lyra_sena for beta, and [livejournal.com profile] dsudis for discussion, clarifying, and my favorite line. Spoilers for the movie, natch.

Read at my site or below.

*****

I.

"What do you like to do?"

His breath was hot against Dan's ear, his hands firm and steady as they worked into Dan's trousers.

"Whatever," Dan managed to spit out. He kept his eyes tightly shut. "Anything."

"Can I suck you?" His hands were in Dan's shorts now, strong and urgent on Dan's erection; Dan pushed forward into it as the guy started to stroke him.

The guy. Like Dan didn't know who he was, like Wilby was big enough for any of them to be anonymous. But anonymity was part of the whole point of these nights at the Watch, so Dan was willing to pretend he had never seen this guy before, that he didn't know this was Duck MacDonald, that he painted, that he came into the video store every other week and rented old classic movies.

Pretending was easy. He had lots of practice.

It was dark at the Watch, and they were over by the trees, so it was easy to pretend about that, too, that there was any pretense of privacy happening. If he listened, he could hear the noises of the other men not so far off, their moans and heavy breaths and sex sounds.

It was always better not to look at it too closely. Not to think about it too closely.

"Yeah," Dan said, "go ahead, do it," and he didn't open his eyes then either.

II.

"It takes time for people," Duck said.

Duck's hand was slow and gentle across Dan's face. He only touched Dan for a a few seconds, but Dan's breath seemed to come oddly anyway. Even after Duck's hand left his face, returning to hang loosely between his own legs, Dan thought he could still feel Duck's fingers, as if even that light touch had somehow burned the impression of his fingertips into Dan's skin.

"It's rough," Duck said softly. He was still smiling; he had been almost since he came into the motel room.

"Sorry," Dan mumbled.

"No, I like it," Duck said, and now his face was serious.

Dan looked at him for a moment and finally said, "I like westerns."

"What do you mean?"

"Something I like," Dan said. "I like western movies." It was a stupid thing to say; he wasn't sure why Duck was here, not really, or why he was telling Duck anything.

But Duck was nodding along. "That makes sense. You're kind of a cowboy." Dan laughed a little at that, disbelieving, and Duck grinned and shrugged. "A quiet cowboy."

Dan laughed at that, too, shaking his head.

Duck was still smiling; his face went slowly serious, and Dan could see it in his eyes before he leaned forward. They had never kissed, not in any of those times up on the Watch; those had been quick, furtive fumblings -- secret, ashamed, to the purpose. Dan didn't know what Duck was doing here, but it wasn't any of those things. Duck's hand on his face had been more intimate than any of the clandestine blowjobs or handjobs had ever been. It was real.

For a second Dan thought about it, kissing Duck back, but he couldn't go through with it, not when he could still hear those voices in his head, his wife and all the others, not when it still made him feel sick with shame all the way through. He jerked back before Duck could kiss him.

"I, no -- you should go. I, uh, sorry."

"No problem," Duck said. He still had that same look of unflappable calm.

"I have some things to do," Dan said, getting up from the bed. "I'll see you."

He locked himself in the bathroom and thought about the beams at the old French house.

III.

Duck picked him up at the hospital when he was released. Dan sat in the passenger seat of the truck and watched the island pass by his window as Duck drove. He hadn't always noticed how pretty the place really was.

Duck had music on very quietly, and neither of them spoke during the ride. Dan had gotten used to Duck's silent presence during his time in the hospital -- Duck had visited him almost every day, and sometimes they talked, sometimes even about important stuff, but sometimes they didn't. Duck didn't seem to have a problem with just being quiet; he seemed perfectly comfortable with silence and calm, never getting awkward about it, and Dan found that was a quality he appreciated a lot.

Sandra Anderson was standing in front of Iggy's Diner when they passed; she waved to them, and Duck smiled and waved back.

Some people gave the truck dirty looks, but fewer than Dan might have guessed. Most people just ignored them.

A few days ago Duck had brought him his mail. There'd been a letter from his wife, from Vancouver. Dan had sat in the bed, staring at it for a long time before he opened it. Duck had asked him if he wanted Duck to leave the room while he read it, but he shook his head. It had only been a couple of sentences, anyway, the beginning of the arrangements for the divorce.

Duck parked the truck carefully in front of his tiny house and killed the engine. They both sat in the still vehicle for a moment.

"I think I'm going to reopen the video store," Dan said.

Duck glanced over at him. He was smiling slightly. "Yeah?"

"You think anybody will come?"

Duck shrugged. He picked up Dan's hand and looked down at the two hands wrapped together. "I will."

Dan felt himself smiling at that, too. He squeezed Duck's hand and leaned forward to kiss him.

The kiss was gentle and slow and patient and it lasted a long while, and Dan kept his hand and Duck's tight together.
sage: Still of Natasha Romanova from Iron Man 2 (rayk)

[personal profile] sage 2005-03-24 04:27 am (UTC)(link)
This is lovely! There's something wonderfully oceanic about this, and it totally fits the whole island setting. Like Duck is the eye of the storm, this apotheosis of calm, while the rest of the world spins and storms around them. Sandra is nearby, having reached her own sort of calm as well, and Dan has been pulled to Duck's side, floating along until he can move on his own power. It's wonderful. They rhythms are so watery and soothing. So nice. And I adore the scene at the Watch, and the need for make-believe anonymity.

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, thank you so much! This was an absolutely lovely comment to receive.

[identity profile] serialkarma.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
This is just perfect. That last line especially. (I love how all these Wilby fics are just like the movie: quiet and sweet and...respectful, you know?)

Yay Wilby!

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
YAY WILBY!

[identity profile] lynnmonster.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
Okay, I cheated, b/c I still haven't seen the movie (although I've been thoroughly spoiled).

Anyway -- this was just lovely: quiet and deep. I love Dan's gradual movement towards acceptance of himself, and of Duck.

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:48 am (UTC)(link)
Aw, that almost makes me feel bad, you know? Just because the motel room scene is so amazing I feel it should have been seen without my stuff here in the way.

But ... yay. I'm glad you liked, darling.

[identity profile] visionshadows.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
This is wonderful. I love how you used the portion of the movie we actually see to add to the story. It's a very quiet, subtle story, much like the movie. I love the first part, the quiet desperation of it compared to the last part where the kiss is what matters. Thank you for sharing!

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:48 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you! I'm very glad you enjoyed it.

[identity profile] claire.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
Beautifully understated and and understatedly beautiful. *sigh* I really want the movie to arrive at my house so I can see it!

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
You do need to see it! It's so good! *giggles* Thank you for your comment, though!

[identity profile] engenda.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 06:50 am (UTC)(link)
The kiss was gentle and slow and patient and it lasted a long while, and Dan kept his hand and Duck's tight together.

I want to see this. This is just a beautiful image. Thank you!

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you liked it!

[identity profile] maryavatar.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 10:59 am (UTC)(link)
I really like this. Great characterisation :)

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] countess7.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 11:07 am (UTC)(link)
Speechless. Hand Flutter! LOVE IT!

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
Heeee. Thank you!

[identity profile] rhiannon-jehane.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 11:11 am (UTC)(link)
What a lovely thing to wake up to this morning - thank you!

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you; I'm so glad you liked it!

[identity profile] proserpina-kore.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 11:26 am (UTC)(link)
This is gorgeous - just like the movie.

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
Dude, getting compared to the movie is an excellent compliment; thank you!
ext_1175: (CKR in HFX)

[identity profile] lamardeuse.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 11:32 am (UTC)(link)
Gorgeous. The last line melted my heart.

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
*grins* Thank you so much!

[identity profile] estrella30.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 11:37 am (UTC)(link)
oh! dude - this is *wonderful*!! (and I'm sorry I wasn't around last night. I took a break from the computer to, uh, watch WW again *g*)

This is gorgeous though. really quiet and sweet and lovely. yay! duck/dan fic from pearl!!

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
*TWIRLS YOU*

[identity profile] farwing.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 11:54 am (UTC)(link)
This is so very lovely. *hugs the story* *hugs you*

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
*grins* Thanks!
ext_3545: Jon Walker, being adorable! (Duck/Dan by zoetrope)

[identity profile] dsudis.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 12:48 pm (UTC)(link)
*smooches*

Yes, yes exactly. Spot on and beautiful. :)

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
You inspire me, dude. Hee.

[identity profile] lovekeller.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 01:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Eeee! I love it! I love seeing them before the movie - so completely believable, and after...just tugs on my heart. So wonderful.

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you very much!

[identity profile] zeplum.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 01:46 pm (UTC)(link)
A simple 'aw' is the best compliment I could give a story like this. Quiet cowboys, indeed.

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
Aw is a lovely comment, thank you!

God. Quiet cowboys. It kills me dead, it really does.

[identity profile] brooklinegirl.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh! Yay! You! I love you for writing this! I think writing WW fic needs a seriously delicate hand, and you did it brilliantly, from beginning to end. What it was like at the Watch - the desperation in Dan's head. Pretending was easy. He had lots of practice. It's so sad, but so incredibly true.

And I love the behind-the-scenes sort of thing you did with the hotel room scene. I think you nailed it, completely.

and here:

Duck had visited him almost every day, and sometimes they talked, sometimes even about important stuff, but sometimes they didn't.

That's just what I mean, about approaching this with a delicate hand: you tell us just enough - just like the film does - without spelling out too much.

Duck shrugged. He picked up Dan's hand and looked down at the two hands wrapped together. "I will."

I love that. Love that. I can see it in my head, it feels like a scene in the film, it's utter perfection.

wonderful. wonderful.

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
*BEAM*

You truly do rock my socks, madame. Your feedback never fails to make me do a happy dance in my chair.

[identity profile] jenboo.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 03:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh yay!!

*dies from the bittersweetness*

I need to buy this movie so I can watch it again and again. Because *SIGH*. And Dan so deserves to have some happy, to have Duck take good care of him.

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
*sighs with you* I just watched the Dan MacIvor's commentary tonight for the first time, and the way he keeps talking about the tenderness between them kills me dead, man. It's so very lovely.

Thank you for your comment!

[identity profile] qe2.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 03:28 pm (UTC)(link)
*happy wordless sigh*

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
*beams*
ext_20943: (hungry heart (by stormy))

[identity profile] sam80853.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 03:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think I'm going to reopen the video store," Dan said.

Duck glanced over at him. He was smiling slightly. "Yeah?"

"You think anybody will come?"

Duck shrugged. He picked up Dan's hand and looked down at the two hands wrapped together. "I will."

Dan felt himself smiling at that, too. He squeezed Duck's hand and leaned forward to kiss him.

The kiss was gentle and slow and patient and it lasted a long while, and Dan kept his hand and Duck's tight together.


I love it!

I didn't saw the movie yet but this is giving me a feeling what it's going to be like. Thanks!

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, thank you! And you must see the movie; it's so very good. I mentioned to lynn above that I feel bad about people reading this before, just because I feel like people should be able to see it without the stuff I have here clouding their brains.

(no subject)

[identity profile] sam80853.livejournal.com - 2005-03-25 06:53 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] ezust.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 03:58 pm (UTC)(link)

Absolutely perfect, all the way around. You've relieved me of the terrible, aching urge I've had to write these scenes.

Thank you so much for letting me let myself off the hook, and for sharing this. *beams*


[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
Heee. I'm glad to be of service, I think. And thank you!

[identity profile] sprat.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh yes. You've got the feel of the movie just perfectly, here. I love seeing Duck from Dan's pov, and I love Dan's slow transition out of shame. Lovely. :)

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much!
ext_8892: (duck (tarar))

[identity profile] beledibabe.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 05:44 pm (UTC)(link)
::heartfelt sigh of repletion::

Oh, yes. Exactly so.

Dittoing on the wonderfulness, because sometimes a single word sez it all.

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, dude, thank you -- I'm so glad it worked for you.

[identity profile] cesperanza.livejournal.com 2005-03-24 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Whoo-hoo!! claps madly!! Encore, encore!

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
*curtseys*
reginagiraffe: Stick figure of me with long wavy hair and giraffe on shirt. (Default)

[personal profile] reginagiraffe 2005-03-24 08:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Yay! More WW fic!

Your first line made me grin, because we were all thinking this scenario when Duck says that line in the hotel room.

This was lovely and happy!

[identity profile] pearl-o.livejournal.com 2005-03-25 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
Hee. The first line is totally one of the things that didn't occur to me until the long and involved conversation with Dira. She's not just pretty, she's smart, too!

Anyway, thank you! I'm glad you liked.

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