Disclaimer:I don't own "V for Vendetta" or any of its characters, wishful thinking aside.
Authors Note #1:My take on what happened after the credits rolled at the end of the movie.
Warnings: post movie, sexual content, romantic tension, sexual tension, drama, romance, angst, post traumatic stress disorder, hurt and comfort, first time, emotional baggage, emotional constipation.
Entheos
Chapter One
"We've searched these tunnels for weeks. You think you're going to find him now?"
"...Inspector, it's all gone wrong hasn't?"
It wasn't until Dominic found him wandering the streets that he realized- perhaps he didn't know Dominic as well as he thought he did.
Because the man was powdered with brick dust and ash. Still wearing the terrorist's signature cape, with the mask and hat in hand as they spotted each other. A strange divide over trash-strewn cobblestones.
And maybe the space that separated them gnawed at him a little.
Maybe it gnawed at him a lot.
Either way, he broached it without moving.
"I let her do it," he said, winded as it left him in a rush. "I let her."
And maybe the feeling was mutual, considering the way Dominic stared at him. Like he couldn't believe it, then- maybe he'd had his suspicions all along. As if his delinquency was a gift he hadn't asked for, but wanted all the same.
Dominic shook his head, fringe feathering over his forehead, before-
"Thank Christ for that."
He blinked. Watching Dominic watch him as a crowd of revelers passed between them.
There was laughter there. Crinkling the shallow lines around Dominic's eyes. And while he didn't remember when they'd shown up, they made a smile ache across his face. Quite unable to help himself.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd smiled. Maybe a year ago. Maybe longer. Maybe the day before he'd cast his vote for Norsefire and voided his soul. Knowing, deep down, that something wasn't right. Unable to articulate the feeling until suddenly he was seeing it firsthand and there was nothing he could do about it. His complicity had been freely, if not grudgingly given. That, he figured, was a good reason never to smile again.
But today was November the 5th.
And everything was different.
"I'd say I didn't think you had it in you, sir." Dominic remarked, shaking his head as a rueful smile spread across his face. "But I knew you did."
His eyebrow arched. In another life it might have been playful.
"And you?" he pointed out. Eyes flicking down to the mask and hat still clutched in his hand. "You never said anything. I don't blame you. But you were there. That means something."
Dominic's expression didn't close off, but it did grow more cautious.
"I have my reasons," the man said simply. The smile on his face stayed, but gave up nothing.
Good lad.
His nod was a rangy thing, more to the side as a family joyously danced past. Singing at the top of their lungs. A little boy riding high on his father's shoulders. Too young to really understand, but old enough to know that being out after curfew was exciting and bold and his parents were holding hands and laughing.
"I think we all do," he admitted. Wondering if he was too engrained in his habits now for it to make any difference.
Dominic took a step forward. Looking like he was putting something together in real time. Captivated by it. Intimidated by it. Hungry for it.
"When I said it had all gone wrong, you never answered me. You didn't have to, but I want to know. If it had been him you met in the tunnel rather than her- would you've still let him do it?"
His mouth was dry.
He didn't know how to answer.
Then or now.
Because he was a god damned hypocrite. Not a revolutionary. He was just himself. And not particularly the best version of himself either. But for some reason Dominic was still here. Staring at him with misplaced pride.
He opened his mouth to say as much, but in the same moment his stomach growled and what came out of his mouth was so honest, it wasn't even a deflection.
"I'm starving," he admitted.
Dominic coughed a startled laugh.
"Good luck finding anything open," he replied, taking a step forward until the crowds began streaming around them rather than between.
It seemed significant somehow.
"I can make something," Dominic offered.
His head came up, surprised.
"You cook?"
Dominic nodded. Like they hadn't just spent a year living off soggy take-out.
Somehow, he couldn't picture it.
"Why don't you come for dinner? Or breakfast? It's closer, anyway. Maybe when we're done this lot will have cleared."
Not likely.
They'd be lucky if the car was even where Dominic had left it.
It was that kind of night.
He started to shake his head before Dominic stopped him. Expression open, tired. Hopeful.
"Let me take you home, sir."
He sucked a breath through his teeth. Shivering under his popped collar as his gaze ran skittish. Because the request felt different than what it was on its face. It felt like Dominic meant something else entirely. Or maybe he wanted it to be something else. Something more. Either way, he was a damn fool for considering it.
Nothing good would come of this.
And yet-
"Alright," he allowed slowly. Fully aware he was going to regret it.
A/N: Thank you for reading. Please let me know what you think! – There will be more to come.
Reference:
- Entheos: full of the god, inspired, possessed.
