wook77: (two men kissing)
[personal profile] wook77
Title: Life Getting in the Way of Want
Fandom: The Departed
Pairing: Dignam/Costigan. Kind of.
Rating: R due to language
Wordcount: ~2000
Summary: He's fucked in the head but at least it's some sort of friendly touch.
A/N: Unbeta'd. Written for the [livejournal.com profile] 2lineschallenge. Lyrics assigned are:

I don't scratch so I won't itch
I don't reach so I won't miss
- Jawbreaker


Billy shakes after he shoots his first shakedown. It'd only been in the knee, ok, the knees, but it isn't like he killed him. His shaking's a sign of cowardice and fear, or at least that's what the venomous voice in his head screams at him. That it sounds like Dignam doesn't really come as a surprise, not anymore. The sergeant's been riding him since before he began this fucked-up mission and now, two months in, he's resigned to Dignam riding him for a very long time. In his head it's like this: the sky is blue, the grass is green and Dignam's a vindictive hate-filled cocksucker.

The insult makes him laugh and the shaking stops long enough that he can pour a shot of bourbon into a tumbler and toss it back. What the disparaging thoughts about Dignam don't calm the alcohol does. His hands are steady and so he pours another drink, thrusting it into the air and toasting, "To you, Sergeant Dickwad, all for you."

Frenchie calls him after he's gotten completely fucked and Billy slurs into the phone, "Costigan."

"Get your ass down here," is the response.

"Aye, aye, captain."

"You drunk? For fuck's sake, sober up on the way, asshole." With that, Frenchie hangs up the phone.

He takes one more shot with a toast to Queenan and Dignam. Then he hops into a cab. Hopefully someone would be able to get him a ride back to his mother's house. Costello gives his orders and he's paired with Fitzy and Delahunt. They're to shake down some Russian bastard that's encroaching into their territory. With a fairly sober salute, he trails behind his partners and hops into the van. It's a smooth ride, one that he blesses Fitzy for because a rough ride surely would make him vomit up the alcohol in his stomach.

When they get there, he's three-quarters drunk and the Russian is argumentative and aggressive. His hands don't shake as he aims and shoots. It's just easier to shoot the fucker what with the way that the dickwad and his merry men open fire first. They're all dead and he doesn't care. Hell, he's lauded for taking out three of the five all on his own. Fitzy and Delahunt take him for drinks and he's even more drunk. When they drop him off at his door with a wave, he walks in and proceeds to drink the rest of the bottle of bourbon.

A foot kicks him awake in the morning. Rolling off the sofa, he comes up swinging but a combination of the headache raging and the sun sending daggers into his eyes along with the way his stomach roils, he's slow. His attacker grabs him and throws him back onto the sofa. Snarling, he leaps off the sofa again and, again, the attacker throws him back down.

"I can keep this up all day, motherfucker," Dignam says and Billy hates that voice, hates it with the passion of a thousand fiery suns. "Come on, try me, can't even hold your liquor like a proper Irishman, you lace curtain motherfucker. What the shit is this stuff? Bourbon? What sort of drink is that? My mother won't even touch that shit."

Billy growls and, instead of swinging high like he's been doing, leans in low and tackles Dignam, sending them both crashing to the floor. The fucking dick laughs at the attack and Billy grabs Dignam's throat and lifts and then slams it into the floor. The laughter stops but when he goes to repeat the gesture, he's rolled over and pressed into the floor.

"Think that feels good, you little shit? I'll give you once but a second will get your ass kicked worse."

Billy finally opens his eyes and sees Dignam looking mussed. Good, he thinks, fucker's always so clean looking with his fucking tie and shirt all starched and pressed. For his own part, Billy can feel blood trickling out his nose and smell the smoke and body odor from last night. When he looks down, he can see one of the Russian's blood splattered on his t-shirt.

"Let off," Billy says as he pushes at Dignam's shoulder. He's not going to push his luck, not today, not without Queenan standing by ready to rein Dignam's insults and threats in.

"What, you don't like being under, little boy?" Dignam pushes down with his hips while slamming Billy's head into the floor. Then, cocky, smarmy, infuriating grin in place, Dignam stands up and sits on Billy's mother's chair. He leans back, kicking his feet out so the rest on the table, displacing the empty bottle and tumbler and puts his hands behind his head.

"How'd it go last night?" Dignam looks around and then cocks an eyebrow. "Not well from the amount of hoity alcohol you drank. This was all last night, wasn't it? I'd hate to hear that it only took a couple of drinks to get you drunk."

"Fuck off," Billy says to the insult and then sits on the couch.

"Funny story, I think you'll like this one. Three Irish assholes walk into a bar," Dignam pauses, cocks an eyebrow and then continues, "stop me if you've heard this one. Three Irish assholes walk into a Russian bar. After throwing around insults, they all start shooting each other and only the three Irish assholes walk out. People are saying that there was one short little cocksucker that shot three of the Russians without hesitating, shot 'em right between the eyes calm as anything."

"Yeah?" Billy doesn't look at Dignam, refuses to look because he knows that Dignam knows and it'll only give him more fuel for threats of getting prosecuted for what he's doing for Queenan.

"Want to tell me what the fuck happened that you were involved in a shooting? In public. In front of witnesses who, by the way, know what the fuck you look like. Then again, half the neighborhood and soon, half of fucking Boston's going to what with that sketch of you that's already floating around."

"Hey, they started shooting first. It wasn't like I could put up a hand and ask for a minute so I could call you or Queenan for permission to shoot back. I'm doing what you told me to do, you don't like it, go fuck yourself." Billy stands and opens the front door. "If you're done, get the fuck out of my house."

"You're not even going to offer me a cup of tea? After I've spent most of the morning cleaning up your fucking mess?" Dignam stands and walks over. "And here I was looking forward to sitting down and getting to know you. You've broken my heart."

Dignam pushes in close and his breath – coffee, cigarettes and mint scented – puffs across Billy's face. With that cocky grin, he puts his thumb and forefinger on Billy's forehead and pushes, causing Billy's head to slam into the glass of the front door. "Be more careful, I won't be cleaning up after you next time."

Billy waits until Dignam's out of earshot, sauntering down the sidewalk with fingers in his pockets, before snarling a few choice insults. He slams the door as he goes back into the house and then tosses the empty bottle into the trash before grabbing a full one. Bit of the hair of the dog, he decides.

~~*~~


They're always physical – pushing, shoving, punching. There's no friendliness in the touch but after awhile, Billy comes to crave it. He craves the way that Dignam is always touching him because it reminds him that even though Dignam might yell and threaten, he isn't going to pull his piece and shoot Billy.

He's fucked in the head over it and he's sure that it says something about his life that the friendliest touch he gets is a shove away.

~~*~~


He's been at this for six months. A year. Who knows anymore, it just keeps going and going and he's never going to get out of here. Billy's doomed to be exactly what his father abhorred about this area – a fucking goon for Costello. His father has to be rolling in his grave while his mother has to be shaking her head in such disappointment.

He pushes at Dignam, pushing the buttons that he's learned work. Dignam jumps on him, punching and swearing and Billy revels in it. At first, he lies to himself, telling himself that it'll give him a reason to walk. If Dignam's going to follow through on deleting his record, then what the fuck does he have to stay here for?

It's when his dreams twist the fight, fists not flying into faces but into hair, faces leaning in not to curse but to kiss, that he wonders exactly what the fuck he's thinking. Each time, he wakes, pops some pills and tries to go back to sleep. He refuses to think about why he shifts the bed around so that extra pillows feel like a body behind him in his drugged stupor.

When Dignam bends him backwards against the car under the bridge, Billy's dreams take over and he surges up, ready to kiss and touch, even if it gets him shot. Queenan's voice breaks through, though, and Dignam steps back, looking at Billy funny. It's almost like Dignam knows what Billy was about to do. Dignam keeps eyeing him while they're talking and he swipes the back of his hand across his mouth. When they slide into the car, Dignam's voice softens. For the first time in their history, Dignam's not argumentative or pushy. There are no threats or confrontations.

It's nice but Billy's not going to count on anything.

~~*~~


"Get up, you little fucker," wakes him as he sleeps on the sofa.

"What the fuck are you doing in my house again?" Billy asks as, bleary-eyed, he sits up.

"What the shit are you doing? You want to explain this?" Dignam tosses an empty prescription bottle at him. "Or this?" Another bottle. "Or how about this one?" Another bottle. Each one bounces off his chest, arm, forehead.

"They're all legit - " Billy starts to say but then Dignam's on him, knees on either side and one hand on his throat while the other hand pushes against his forehead.

"You're going to fucking well shut up and listen, you little cocksucker. Queenan didn't die just so you could fuck this entire mission up with your goddamn drugs. You got me? You're not going to ruin what Queenan died for just because you can't fucking well handle yourself, you cocksucking pussy." Dignam's face is so close as he berates Billy that his spit lands on Billy's face.

Billy knows he's fucked in the head now because all he wants is for Dignam to close the distance and bite his lower lip, suck it in and own him, make him feel anything but this god-awful loneliness that won't let up, won't stop giving him images of Queenan splattering on the ground right fucking in front of him.

"You got me? You fucking well got me? Knock this shit off!" Dignam pushes harder, against Billy's adam's apple and leans in even closer, hot breath puffing across him. "Knock it the fuck off. Get yourself straight and keep your head down."

Billy leans up, pushing against that choking grip, and closes the distance so that lip brushes lip. Before he can lick or suck or anything, Dignam's off him and out the door.

~~*~~


There's nothing that Dignam can do to bring Costigan back. Not a fucking thing will bring him back so that Dignam can get the fuck over his regrets though Sullivan's blood washes a bit of it away. He should've reached and fucked the results, should've fucking kissed Costigan like he'd wanted after he'd resigned, fucking life getting in the fucking way of want.

Should've.

Would've.

Could've.

As always, I'd love to hear what you thought.

Date: 2007-11-14 03:19 am (UTC)
cmk418: (Costigan2)
From: [personal profile] cmk418
Good to see you back!

This was intense. It vividly depicts all the touchpoints of the film - the violence, the lonliness in the face of the job, the regrets. And I loved how you made the chemistry between the two work within the canon framework. Very nicely done.

Date: 2007-11-14 03:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] chaeldub.livejournal.com
*falls at your feet*

Y'know I bought at Playstation 3 a while back and the first movie I bought (after importing NIN's beside you in time bluray) was The Departed. I just knew that was my first own movie. The sounds and colours and everything about that film from the story to the acting and direction.

Why?

Cause I fucking love everything about that film.

And this... this is just brilliant - you've captured the two of them perfectly, esp the scene under the bridge (be still my slashy heart when I first saw that at the cinema) - it's all bravado and booze - cursing and comfort. Oh, and the title, I love so much cause really that's what it's always about ain't it?

The ending *sobs*

p.s. please to be writing more The Departed fic

Date: 2007-11-14 05:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wook77.livejournal.com
I've been sort of overwhelmed with holiday exchanges and haven't had much time to write for fun, lately. I've had this snippet sort of scene style going and I really wanted to try it here. I'm really really glad that you thought it worked within canon especially. That totally and completely makes my day!!!

I'm so very glad that you liked this and that it worked for you, you've no idea. THANK YOU!!!

Date: 2007-11-14 05:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wook77.livejournal.com
I've written some Departed fic before. There's also a comm (which I mod/maintain) called [livejournal.com profile] departed_fic if you want to check it out. There's some brilliant stories on there.

That scene under the bridge is one of my absolute favorites in the movie, the way that they go from intense fighting to the whole "we need you" conversation so quickly. These two are so volatile that I can't resist them. Plus, it's also fun to write someone that, canon-ly, uses 'fuck' as much as he does. God, I love Mark Wahlberg (see why he's my perfect seamus?).

I have to admit enjoying the end and figuring out how to get it to work and stuffs. It's wicked fun.

I love you ♥

Date: 2007-11-15 02:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] revelininsanity.livejournal.com
Oh god. There are no words for how good this is. Its gritty, pale colours might have been taken right out of the film.

SRSLY ITS AWESOME.

Date: 2007-11-18 06:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wook77.livejournal.com
:D I'm so very very glad that you enjoyed this!!! I had a blast writing it and omg, it was so much fun to play in The Departed once more! I'm just glad to be out of so many fests that I have time to write what I want instead :D.

Your comment makes me grin liekwhoa! Thank you so much for commenting!!! YAYES!

Date: 2007-12-14 08:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] happywriter06.livejournal.com
When I say I'm blown away, I mean blown the f away. I feel like I was reading some deleted scenes. The way you captured both characters and their interactions is nothing short of spectacular. The way you have worked the slash and canon is very believable.

You must write more.

Date: 2008-01-14 10:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gabo0.livejournal.com
Agsty. Definitely angsty. I hate the shoul've-would've-could've at the end. So deppressing! And yet, I love the piece as a whole.

Date: 2008-01-25 03:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] not-last-resort.livejournal.com
Wow. So in one day I went from being a huge fan of the movie who had never read any fics for the pairing, to an outright addict, particularly to Billy/Dignam. This was just the most gloriously angsty thing ever. I loved everything about it. Your Dignam was spot on, and you capture Billy's loneliness beautifully, though painfully. The ending made me so sad, broke my heart, really, but it was lovely. Excellent job.

Date: 2008-02-20 04:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] veuki.livejournal.com
I love this.

Date: 2008-02-20 05:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wook77.livejournal.com
:D Thanks so much! I just received a whole slew of comments so I apologize for not responding earlier.

I have such a love on for the characters in this movie so you can bet that there will be plenty more!

Date: 2008-02-20 05:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wook77.livejournal.com
:D Thanks so much! I quite enjoy angst so I'm very glad that you liked this!

I apologize for the time delay in responding. I just received a giant slew of comments. It's like LJ was saving them up or something. :/

Date: 2008-02-20 05:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wook77.livejournal.com
:D Dignam/Costigan is the best pairing EVAH. The way that these two interact just make me so very very happy.

I'm extremely glad that you thought my Dignam was spot on as he's my favorite character in the movie.

I apologize for the delay in responding to your comments. LJ just sent me a giant slew of comments as I think it was saving them all for a rainy day or something :/.

Date: 2008-02-20 05:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wook77.livejournal.com
Thanks so much! I'm very glad you enjoyed it!

Date: 2008-02-21 08:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mavoorik.livejournal.com
This is gorgeous and lovely and heart-breaking and I absolutely adore the way you described the grittiness of their relationship -- the cursing and raging emotions and flying fists and seriously! I love this.

Date: 2008-02-21 08:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wook77.livejournal.com
Thanks so much! I think this pairing is destined for heart-breaking and gritty. They're so argumentative and still touchy and just very very yummy.

I'm quite glad that you enjoyed this! I had a blast writing it so it makes me very happy that others have the same level of enjoyment/love for it :D

Date: 2008-06-20 11:03 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] the-summoning-d.livejournal.com
Psst...Fitzy's Scottish
But then again, they spend the whole movie calling people who are clearly from America Irish, so who gives a shit?

Wonderful fic. I love the look inside Costigan's head as he's frankly cracking up, and the little insert from Dignam's POV at the end was heartbreaking. Fantastic.

Date: 2008-11-14 04:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thethirdstone.livejournal.com
Oh this comes a 1000 years later but who cares.
I rarely find any fics out there that manage to get in the head of the characters and keep up with the pace imposed by the movie , but you managed to do it perfectly,everything fits , even the curses,might as well been a few random scenes in the movie !
Good job.


The Third Stone

Date: 2009-03-22 10:30 pm (UTC)
ext_19682: (Effy)
From: [identity profile] oximore.livejournal.com
This was just very strong, and quite bitter. Perfect for the fandom. I loved it.

Date: 2009-03-23 04:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wook77.livejournal.com
Thanks so much! I can't think of any other word that really describes the movie than "bitter". The relationships and dynamics are just so sad and crappy. I'd be bitter, too. I'm curious if they're ever going to do the prequel that they were talking about - the one set around Dignam. That would rock my socks if they did.

<3 THanks so much for letting me know what you thought!

(BTW - have you checked out [livejournal.com profile] departed_fic? There's awesome throughout there.

Date: 2009-03-23 02:09 pm (UTC)
ext_19682: (Effy)
From: [identity profile] oximore.livejournal.com
"The relationships and dynamics are just so sad and crappy."

Gosh, yes, since I was already a fan of Infernal Affaire, I knew it wasn't ending well, but I'm still bitter each time I saw it, coz damn, Billy deserved so much more!!! Nothing is simple in it, no one is totally good or bad, and it's the saddest thing (and also one of the most intersting thing in the damn movie).

And yes, I checked out departed_fic, I think I read all I could find in the fandom so far (it needs more love... like pretty much half of my fandoms! XD)

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