#billy dalisay

[theoceanismyinkwell]

Chapters: 14/18 Chapter 14 Word Count: 8,367 Fandom: Original Work Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Uptight Librarian Desperate for Love/His Next-Door Neighbor He Accuses of Having Sex Too Loudly, Original Male Character/Original Male Character Characters: Original Male Character(s) of Color, Original Female Character(s) of Color, Original Trans Character(s) Additional Tags: Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Friends with Benefits, Reality TV, Miscommunication, Self-Esteem Issues, Coming Out, Internalized Homophobia, Internalized Biphobia, Depression, Panic Attacks, Sexual Dysfunction, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, anorgasmia, Hand Jobs, Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Light Angst, Humor, Eventual Happy Ending, Getting Together, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Dissociation, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Hospitals, Alcohol Chapter 14 Sneak Peek and Summary:

Connor leans forward, a rueful smile painted over his face. “Believe it or not, I’m just trying to look out for you.”

“Excuse me?”

“You fell for it too, didn’t you? Little history nerd who knows anything and everything about touching bouquet messages from the goddamn nineteenth century? Definitely got you wrapped around his little finger with his diabolical little flower meanings. And I’m not talking accidental.”

“Listen, you insecure, rat’s-ass-faced beanpole of a—”

“Save it, Gavin. It's just advice. Take it or leave it.” Connor’s voice is cold. He fixes Gavin with a complicated stare. After several seconds of this silent showdown, Connor’s shoulders lose their rigidity and his tone thaws. “I was in your position, too. Billy knows how to make anyone fall hard and fast for him, while he keeps his own heart off the line. The moment it’s time to make a choice between you and his family, there’s no question. He’ll take the easy way out, every time. Speaking the language of romance is just…second nature to him. Being sincere, on the other hand?” He shakes his head. “Don’t make the same mistake I did.”

Gavin rocks back on his heels, stunned.

Horrified at having exposed his greatest shame in a moment of vulnerability, Billy bolts. Gavin is left in the dark as Billy refuses to have a meaningful conversation, even throughout the symbolic flower arrangement challenge that will test their trust in one another's sincerity. Meantime, Connor shows up yet again to throw a wrench into everyone's plans.

Story is 100% written and will update weekly. 

[theoceanismyinkwell]

Chapters: 11/18 Chapter 11 Word Count: 5,811 Fandom: Original Work Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Uptight Librarian Desperate for Love/His Next-Door Neighbor He Accuses of Having Sex Too Loudly, Original Male Character/Original Male Character Characters: Original Male Character(s) of Color, Original Female Character(s) of Color, Original Trans Character(s) Additional Tags: Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Friends With Benefits, Reality TV, Miscommunication, Self-Esteem Issues, Coming Out, Internalized Homophobia, Internalized Biphobia, Depression, Panic Attacks, Sexual Dysfunction, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, anorgasmia, Hand Jobs, Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Light Angst, Humor, Eventual Happy Ending, Getting Together, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Dissociation, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Hospitals, Alcohol Summary:

Gavin’s eyes find his and immediately drop to the keychain dangling from Billy’s fingers. “Do not tell me my sister gave you the keys to my goddamn car.”

“You almost died,” Billy snaps, all his trembling relief gusting out of him in a giant cloud of irritation. “Hello? Priorities?”

“If I’ve survived this thing just to die at the hands of your terrible driving, I’m suing from the afterlife,” Gavin mutters.

“Yeah, well, good luck finding an attorney in hell who can put up with your cantankerous ass,” says Billy.

Gavin does not so much as blink at the insinuation that he and his reckless behind would land in hell, of all places. Instead, he kicks moodily at one of the footrests of the wheelchair where he has placed neither of his feet. The device is locked in place and not about to roll anywhere, though apparently, not for lack of effort on Gavin’s part.

As a nurse promises that they will return shortly with completed paperwork, Billy takes a moment to stare at the dark scruff on the other man’s cheeks and the tired fire in his eyes and thinks, I almost lost you. He doesn’t know if he wants to kiss him or to hit him.

Gavin wakes up in a hospital, wholly unready to face the music with his sister Izra, who fears the worst: that he may have been trying to kill himself. Billy wrangles with his panic and care for Gavin, while simultaneously reevaluating his priorities about staying on the show.

Story is 100% written and will update weekly.

[theoceanismyinkwell]

Chapters: 6/18 Chapter 6 Word Count: 7,833 Fandom: Original Work Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Uptight Librarian Desperate for Love/His Next-Door Neighbor He Accuses of Having Sex Too Loudly, Original Male Character/Original Male Character Characters: Original Male Character(s) of Color, Original Female Character(s) of Color, Original Trans Character(s) Additional Tags: Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Friends With Benefits, Reality TV, Miscommunication, Self-Esteem Issues, Coming Out, Internalized Homophobia, Internalized Biphobia, Depression, Panic Attacks, Sexual Dysfunction, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, anorgasmia, Hand Jobs, Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Light Angst, Humor, Eventual Happy Ending, Getting Together, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Dissociation, Implied/Referenced Homophobia 

Chapter 6 Sneak Peek:

“Sorry that took me so long. I was looking for something for you, and these—"

The words die on Billy's lips the moment he rounds the doorway of his room and his gaze falls on the sight of Gavin's bare chest. Gavin doesn't see so much as feel the unconscious graze of Billy's eyes up and down his physique. By then, it's too late to cover up. Besides, it's far too fun to see Billy turn speechless like this.

“Yes, Lee?”

All of a sudden, they seem close, far closer than before. The apartment is impressively cramped, after all, and it only takes two strides from the hallway to the foyer just outside the kitchen nook where Gavin is standing. Gavin is hyper-aware now of the cool air against his bare skin, brushing over his exposed chest and nipples. Billy crosses the distance and—

He places his hand on one of Gavin's pecs.

Chapter 6 Summary:

Eddy seriously loathes his job being the third wheel every day while interviewing these competing couples. Gavin and Billy think they come to a tacit agreement that what they share isn't real...and yet somehow, they can't keep their hands off each other.

Story is 100% written and will update weekly.

[theoceanismyinkwell]

Chapters: 12/18 Chapter 12 Word Count: 6,883 Fandom: Original Work Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Uptight Librarian Desperate for Love/His Next-Door Neighbor He Accuses of Having Sex Too Loudly, Original Male Character/Original Male Character Characters: Original Male Character(s) of Color, Original Female Character(s) of Color, Original Trans Character(s) Additional Tags: Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Friends With Benefits, Reality TV, Miscommunication, Self-Esteem Issues, Coming Out, Internalized Homophobia, Internalized Biphobia, Depression, Panic Attacks, Sexual Dysfunction, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, anorgasmia, Hand Jobs, Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Light Angst, Humor, Eventual Happy Ending, Getting Together, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Dissociation, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Hospitals, Alcohol Sneak Peek and Summary:

Gavin shuffles in his socks into the light, grunting, “Don’t listen to Billy. He’s personal best friends with the fire department.”

“I should have left you in that stupid wheelchair at the stupid hospital,” Billy retorts without missing a beat. He’s currently losing a battle with a blunt paring knife to slice spring onions evenly.

“With the way you’re dealing with those ingredients, it seems I might be going right back, anyway,” Gavin grouses. “Why are you still here?”

“Oh, sorry. Should I have just stolen your precious car to go to work?”

“Fair point.” Gavin turns to his sister, who is blandly amused. “And why are you still here?”

“I’m sorry for caring about you, dickwad.”

“Sorry. I mean—that’s not what I meant.” He groans and drags his hands down his face. “I’m not exactly excellent company right now.”

“Great! I’ve known this about you for twenty-seven years.”

Billy doubles over the chopping board, snorting.

Izra's presence brings to the fore how homophobia and lack of communication have isolated Billy from his family. Come Saturday, he and Gavin pull through to present their cake to the judges, but not without repercussions in the shape of Billy's insecure ex Connor ridiculing him for it.

Story is 100% written and will update weekly.

[theoceanismyinkwell]

Chapters: 10/18 Chapter 10 Word Count: 7,110 Fandom: Original Work Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Uptight Librarian Desperate for Love/His Next-Door Neighbor He Accuses of Having Sex Too Loudly, Original Male Character/Original Male Character Characters: Original Male Character(s) of Color, Original Female Character(s) of Color, Original Trans Character(s) Additional Tags: Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Friends With Benefits, Reality TV, Miscommunication, Self-Esteem Issues, Coming Out, Internalized Homophobia, Internalized Biphobia, Depression, Panic Attacks, Sexual Dysfunction, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, anorgasmia, Hand Jobs, Blow Jobs, Anal Sex, Light Angst, Humor, Eventual Happy Ending, Getting Together, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Dissociation, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Hospitals Chapter 10 Sneak Peek and Summary:

Billy stares back at him, chin thrust out a fraction so he can meet the weight of Gavin’s gaze squarely. “Is that what you really think of me? That I’d turn my back on you and leave you after all the time we’ve started spending with each other?”

“It’s not a character assessment, Sherlock,” says Gavin. “It’s me telling you about human nature. Don’t take it so personally.”

“I know it’s not an assessment of my character,” says Billy, infuriatingly calm. “It’s an assessment of yours.”

Gavin freezes, words caught in his throat.

Billy’s voice drops to little more than a murmur. “C’mon, Gavin. You think that’s what friends really do to each other?”

Friends. The word burns on a sharp inhale through Gavin’s nose. He finds the nerves in his fingertips trembling.

Billy says on an exhale, “Gavin?”

“Is that what we are?” Gavin asks smally. “Are we…are we friends?”

Billy, king of messed-up communication and mixed signals, accidentally sends Gavin into a drunken spiral. Billy forces himself to reckon with some trauma from his past and resolves to own up to it to keep Gavin in his life--but is he too late?

Story is 100% written and will update weekly.

[theoceanismyinkwell]

rewriting this chapter from the pov of my Liam Dunbar-coded OC has been the most fun I've had all week

[theoceanismyinkwell]

going through my dialogue and replacing boring cuss words with creative insults has opened my third eye to the endless possibilities

[theoceanismyinkwell]

one thing I love about this OC rewrite of Honeymoon Wars is that I get to throw in all my Catholic jokes willy-nilly